EU referendum: Brexit could threaten western political civilisation, says European Council President Donald Tusk

'Every family knows that a divorce is traumatic for everyone. Everyone in the EU, but especially the Brits themselves, would lose out economically'

EU Council President Donald Tusk (EPA)

If Britons vote to leave the European Union it could be the beginning of the end for the 28-nation bloc and for western political civilisation more generally, European Council President Donald Tusk has said.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Tusk said a so-called Brexit vote would provide a major boost to radical anti-European forces who he said would be "drinking champagne".

"Why is it so dangerous? Because no one can foresee what the long-term consequences would be," Tusk said. "As a historian I fear that Brexit could be the beginning of the destruction of not only the EU but also of western political civilisation in its entirety."

Everyone in the European Union would lose out economically if Britain left, Tusk said.

"Every family knows that a divorce is traumatic for everyone. Everyone in the EU, but especially the Brits themselves, would lose out economically," he said.

The latest polls show Britons are almost evenly split over whether to stay or go.