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The billionaire Virgin founder, who lives in the British Virgin Islands, has made repeated claims about his dislike for Brexit. The 67-year-old businessman described Brexit as the “saddest thing” that could happen to the UK in his latest tirade against the historic referendum. Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE, Branson said: “The older generation is dying off. So whether there’s a second referendum before Brexit happens – I’m sure the Tory party will do their best not to allow that to happen – but I think within five years there will be a government in power in Britain that will ask Europe for a chance to let Britain re-enter.

GETTY•IG Brexit news: Richard Branson said Brexit could be stopped because its voters are 'dying off'

There will be a government in power in Britain that will ask Europe for a chance to let Britain re-enter Richard Branson

“Because there will be so many young people who will be a little bit older by then and so many of the older grandparents who voted for Brexit will have died off, I think that Britain will become part of Europe again.” The billionaire also took aim at Boris Johnson and the “older group of British people” who “took a gun and shot at their feet” for listening to the Foreign Secretary and other Leave campaigners. He added: “There was a ghastly, ghastly misrepresentation of reality, a picture was pained that was completely unreal.”

Branson also bemoaned the effort being put into secure a positive Brexit deal for Britain as it leaves the EU. He said it was a “pity” so much “time and energy” was being used on Brexit instead of being used on “much more positive things”. “Britain was doing really well before the Brexit announcement,” Branson said.

Remoaners Club: These people hate Brexit! Mon, January 16, 2017 Remainers are finding it hard to accept Brexit. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 14 NICK CLEGG