Do you have any examples, evidence or links to back that up? Because people keep repeating it like it's common wisdom but I've yet to say anything other than panic and sour grapes to back it up.
Farage isn't enough of an example? :-) The majority of my info comes from my friends who work for the EU in Brussels, my friends who are journalists for The Economist and other reputable news sources, and my experience living in the region and working with the journalists there. Boris Johnson was just basically London's version of Emperor Norton... fun to watch his antics, but not really empowered to do anything. (The Mayor of London is a largely ceremonial role.) And yet, his campaign, driving around the south with his bus with blatantly wrong figures on it that had been debunked even by his own people, just gathered more and more support the more he lied. (Remind you of anyone?) Right-wing National Front nutbags supported Leave. Sober and thoughtful people and institutions supported Remain. Shit... Farage even said "the revolution has come without a shot being fired" two fucking days after one of his supporters shot and killed Jo Cox, while calling her a "traitor" for supporting Remain.