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Boris Johnson’s comments about the burqa are a “patronising and insulting” ploy to exploit working class people, actor Eddie Marsan has said.

The Ray Donovan and Happy-Go-Lucky star said the former Foreign Secretary is appealing to the lowest common denominator, in a culture that sometimes “celebrates ignorance.”

And the actor, who backs a ‘People’s Vote’ on the terms of the Brexit deal, told the Mirror a “one-off vote” allows politicians to mislead voters.

“You can never hold them to account afterwards,” he said.

“I respect the referendum result but I think we should have another look and see if this is actually a solution to the problems this country has. And I don’t think it is.”

Marsan last night added his name to a growing list that of celebrity supporters of the People's Vote campaign.

(Image: PA)

Other supporters include footballers Gary Lineker and Peter Reid, sports presenter Gabby Logan, football manager Juergen Klopp, Dragons’ Den stars and businesspeople Deborah Meaden and Duncan Bannatyne, comedians Matt Forde, James Corden, Steve Coogan, Tracey Ullman, writer Armando Iannuci and legendary actors like Dominic West, Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Tony Robinson.

“There are all sorts of reasons that drove the referendum result," he said. “The financial crisis didn’t help - austerity didn’t help.”

“The way the world is going at the moment, with globalisation and technology there’s an incredible pace of change in the world. And that’s inevitable.”

“I also think the idea of British exceptionalism is a throwback to the idea of British imperialism. I think we’re a fantastic country. We have great creativity.

“We have a lot to be proud of, look at the Second World War generation who fought the Nazis and the fascists.

“But I don’t think it’s exceptional. I don’t think we can be a major force outside the EU. We need to be connected.

“Also with the far-right coming to power, with Trump, with Putin, we need to be in the EU to make sure we’re protected."

(Image: Publicity Picture)

He told the Mirror he worried about Britain succumbing to the rise of populism.

He said: “Populism does worry me. It is a celebration of ignorance.

“It’s manipulated by those who have more information and they use that to exploit people in a more desperate situation. I’m a working-class man but I hate populism.

“One of the things I hate most about my culture and my class is that sometimes we celebrate ignorance. I find that really difficult.”

His comments follow the furious row over former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson comparing women wearing full face veils to “letterboxes” and “bank robbers”.

Marsan said: “I think what Boris is doing is one of the most patronising and insulting things you can do to the working class. But sadly many times it works.

“It’s saying: ‘Listen, nudge nudge wink wink - I know how you feel. I’m with you.

“It’s going after the lowest denominator of that class. It’s manipulative.”

But Marsan - who says growing up in multicultural London made him who he is - said the Labour party needs to have a “proper conversation” about immigration.

“I think we’ve been scared of it and that’s allowed Farage to dictate the conversation.

“I’m very comfortable with immigration. Where I grew up, fifty per cent of us were comfortable with immigrants, others joined the National Front. I made my choice at the age of 13, listening to Billy Bragg records and most of my friends were black.

“That’s the way I’ve always been. We should have discussions about immigration. We should talk about the fact that it brings in a percentage of our GDP. We benefit financially.”

He suggested areas that bear the brunt of immigration should be given regional grants to increase the number of doctors, school places and hospital staff.

“If you took away the fight over public services people would get on with each other.”

Marsan said growing up in multicultural London made him who he is.

“I didn’t grow up in an all-white area,” he said. “I grew up in one of the most multi-racial, multi-cultural, areas of the country. And I loved it.

“Tower Hamlets. I had a mosque on one corner, church on the other. I used to meditate in a Buddhist centre. Bagels every Sunday morning.

“I’m the result of multicultural London. I could never live in an area that was white flight. Just couldn’t do it.”

A spokesperson for the People’s Vote campaign, said: “The People’s Vote campaign is receiving support from across the political spectrum, from every region and from all walks of life.

Backing from stars of sport, stage and screen is helping us reach millions of people and spread our message. But this is also a people’s campaign for a people’s vote. This month we’re publishing a video every day from ordinary citizens who voted Leave two years ago and are so disgusted at the botched Brexit being dumped on their doorsteps that they’re now demanding their democratic voice is heard on any final deal.

“For instance at our regional rally in Bristol last week, speakers included not only senior politicians like Sir Vince Cable, Sarah Wollaston and Stephen Doughty, but also Dr Lauren Gavaghan, a local doctor, and Sam Hickmott, a 20-year old gardener from the South West. “