Hello and thank you for downloading witness from the BBC World Service with me Rebecca

Kessby. As Britain contemplates its future after the recent and narrowly won vote

to leave the European Union, some politicians have suggested holding a second

referendum in the hope of overturning that decision.

With that in mind, we head back now to the early 90s and to Denmark, which did opt for a second referendum, when

Danish voters at first rejected the Maastricht Treaty and closer integration with the EU.

It was a shock to most people involved.

It was a very tight vote, but it was a surprise.

Most people in Parliament supported a yes, so we were surprised indeed.

And a lot of people blame me for for the no.

In June 1992, Uph Ella Man Jenson was the Danish foreign minister. He led the unsuccessful yes campaign.

Danes had voted 50.7% against closer economic and monetary union with the EU.

As those against Danish involvement in the EU celebrated their apparent victory,

Uph Ellaemen Jenson reflected on where he'd lost the vote.

Shortly before we had the vote, there was a story that came from a British

newspaper about some secret devious plans of then

Commission President Schachtelor.

And this story of course were broadcasted widely by the no-sayers in Denmark and the

journalist who made the story has later bracked about being the main cause of the

Danish no. This name is Boris Johnson.

Well later it was found out that stories that Boris Johnson

published they were fabrications and I think he found that funny. Well we did not. Boris Johnson of course went on to become a British MP and most recently led the successful leave campaign in the UK.

...