Brexit could threaten Nato alliance, warns US general

A British vote to leave the EU could threaten the Nato alliance at a time of Russian aggression in the east, the head of the US Army in Europe has warned.

Lieutenant-General Frederick "Ben" Hodges raised concerns that the EU could unravel in the event of a Brexit, weakening efforts to resist Russian expansionism in Europe and the Middle East.

Speaking to the BBC, Lt-Gen Hodges said the result of the referendum on June 23 is of "strategic interest".

He explained: "Anything that undermines the effectiveness of the alliance has an impact on us, and so if the EU begins to become unravelled there can't help but be a knock-on effect for the alliance also."

Out campaigners have said Britain's position in Nato would not be weakened if it chose to leave.