Final Say: Rod Stewart backs calls for second referendum on Brexit

'I think the people have been fooled, I think they've been lied to,' said the singer

Sir Rod Stewart has backed calls for a referendum on the final Brexit deal after claiming the British public were “fooled” into voting to leave the EU.

The British rock singer, speaking exclusively to The Independent, said there are "too many doubts" in the minds of the electorate to leave the EU without first returning the decision to the British public.

His comments come as more than 840,000 people have signed The Independent's Final Say campaign, demanding a public vote on the final Brexit deal.

Guest Rod Stewart performs during filming of The Graham Norton Show (TX: 22:35 Friday November 9, BBC One), at The London Studios in London. (PA)

“If I had my way I would definitely have a second referendum,” he said. ”I think the people have been fooled, I think they’ve been lied to,” the 73-year-old said.

Mr Stewart, who has homes in Florida and California in the US, admitted he “might be putting my foot in it” but said he continued to live in the UK “quite a bit”.

“I think whether we drop out of the customs union or whatever I think it all needs to be rescheduled and we should have a new referendum because people are fed up with it,” he added.

“I think there are too many doubts now in everybody’s minds.”

The Final Say campaign has attracted support from senior politicians across the political divide, including former prime minister Tony Blair, Tory ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable.

Labour has voted to keep the option open in the event that it cannot force a general election, while London mayor Sadiq Khan has called for the public to be given a fresh vote on membership of the European Union.