If Donald Trump repeals Obamacare 'people will die', warns Sir Richard Branson

'Millions of people are going to suffer in the states, poor people,' warns business magnate

Donald and Melania Trump with Richard Branson in 2002 (Getty)

Sir Richard Branson has warned some of the poorest people in America will die if they lose the health insurance provided under Obamacare.

The Virgin founder told CNN his gravest concern about Mr Trump’s presidency lay with his pledge to repeal Obamacare.

During his campaign, Mr Trump claimed Barack Obama's healthcare initiative had “raised the economic uncertainty of every single person residing in this country”.

Repealing Obamacare could affect 22 million people living in America. Sir Richard, 66, was unequivocal about the dangers of removing Obamacare completely, warning the working class will suffer the most.

“To abolish it, millions of people are going to suffer in the states, poor people," he said. "People will die. The misery will come back to what happened before.

“Universal health care is something that should be a right for citizens of the world. We’re campaigning in many countries that don't have universal health care to help them introduce it.

“So much better if Donald Trump goes in there and says, 'Okay, it wasn't a perfect system. Let's not abolish it. But let's get some business people in to make sure (it's better)."

Branson previously claimed Mr Trump had a “vindictive streak” while recalling their encounter at the President-elect’s Manhattan apartment several years previously.

Recalling their meeting in an October blog post, he wrote: “For somebody who is running to be the leader of the free world to be wrapped up in himself, rather than concerned with global issues, is very worrying.”