Siemens is Europe’s biggest manufacturing firm and employs 15,000 people in the UK. During the referendum the company was a paid-up member of Project Fear, sending out doom-mongering statements threatening to pull investment from Britain in the event of a Leave vote:

“Brexit would disrupt the economy in the short-term and we believe that uncertainty about the UK’s future relationship with the EU could have more significant and negative long-term effects… [this] could make the UK a less attractive place to do business and may become a factor when Siemens is considering future investment here.”

Yesterday, Siemens chief executive Joe Kaeser met Theresa May at Downing Street where he said he was “confident and optimistic” about the “big opportunities” in Brexit Britain:

“There is no reason not to invest tomorrow, if there is a demand and a commitment from the customer. I am willing – and the company is willing to invest – further. There are more opportunities than risks for us.”

Who’dathunkit?

Siemens was splashed all over the papers this morning with an announcement from CEO Joe Kaeser that ze German mega-corp was “here to stay.” During the referendum campaign, Siemens was one of the most high-profile companies to back Remain. They even threatened to leave Britain, claiming:

“This uncertainty, and threat of increased costs, could make the UK a less attractive place to do business and may become a factor when Siemens is considering future investment here.”

Did anyone swallow Siemens’ spin?

Today their CEO says with his tail between his legs: “We never said the UK is in bad shape if it leaves the EU”. Another Project Fear porky doesn’t come true…