In leaked tape, Britain’s May warned of Brexit damage

May, who was the home secretary at the time, delivered the speech before investment bankers at Goldman Sachs in May.

A leaked recording of a speech by Theresa May has emerged which sheds some light on the depth of the prime minister’s opposition to taking Britain out of the European Union before the referendum earlier this year.

A file photo of Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May. (Reuters)

May, who was the home secretary at the time, delivered the speech before investment bankers at Goldman Sachs in May. It was less than one month before the historic Brexit referendum vote in favor of leaving the EU.

She had publicly opposed Brexit but was criticized for not being more vocal about her position.

In the recording, published Wednesday by the Guardian, May told bankers she believed Britain reaped “significant” benefits from being part of the European single market, with its 500 million people.

She warned firms might leave Britain if it was no longer part of the 28-nation bloc. She later changed her view.

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