Sir Richard Branson believes Brexit is “not going to help anything”, including the clean energy industry in Britain.

The founder of Virgin campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU ahead of the referendum last month.

The entrepreneur has also invested in green energy projects.

When asked about what impact leaving the EU would have investment in the sector, he told ELN: “Brexit is not going to help anything. It’s just very, very sad and obviously set Great Britain back and set Europe back a lot… it’s just one of those sad things.

“I feel very, very sorry for the next generation of young people who could’ve worked and lived in 26 countries are now going to be only allowed to live in one. There’s just so many things, so much damage it’s going to do.”

Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom has launched her bid to be the next UK Prime Minister, promising to build a society based on “aspiration, tolerance and hope”.