UK Must Trigger Article 50 Urgently - France

The EU's founding members have demanded the UK urgently invoke Article 50 and start the process of Brexit.

Foreign ministers from the six original members attended a hastily arranged meeting in Berlin - with the UK not invited.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, French minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said it was a "matter of respect" that the UK did not "play cat and mouse" with its soon-to-be-former partners.

David Cameron said yesterday he would leave it to his successor to invoke Article 50, which will start the two-year negotiation of our departure.

A replacement is not expected to be in Number 10 until October - but pressure is mounting on the continent for swifter action.

Mr Ayrault said: "There is a certain urgency ...  It is in Britain's interest and in the interest of Europeans not to have a period of uncertainty that would have financial consequences, and that could have economic and political consequences.

"Of course a new (British) prime minister must be appointed, that will probably require a few days but this is quite urgent."

Germany Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier added: "We join together in saying that this process must begin as soon as possible so we don't end up in an extended limbo period but rather can focus on the future of Europe and the work toward it."

The meeting - attended by France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg - comes after European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he wanted Article 50 to be invoked "immediately".

But Vote Leave chief Matthew Elliot responded on Saturday by suggesting there was no rush.

"We don't think there is a need to swiftly invoke Article 50," said Mr Elliott.

"It is best for the dust to settle over the summer and during that time for there to be informal negotiations with other states."

On Tuesday EU leaders will open a two-day Brussels summit on the crisis at which a change of direction is likely to be on the agenda.

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told reporters Europe must deliver answers on immigration, security and jobs.

Meanwhile, Britain's representative on the EU executive in Brussels, Financial Services Commissioner Jonathan Hill, has stepped down.

Lord Hill said: "I don't believe it is right that I should carry on as the British commissioner as though nothing had happened.

"I came to Brussels as someone who had campaigned against Britain joining the euro and who was sceptical about Europe. I will leave it certain that, despite its frustrations, our membership was good for our place in the world and good for our economy."