Jean-Claude Juncker has told Britain it must officially leave the EU 'as soon as possible'

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Talking from Brussels after an emergency meeting with EU leaders, Mr Juncker told Britain the other 27 member states wanted to negotiate its exit plan “as soon as possible, however painful this process will be”.

After a shaky start to his speech as shockwaves reverberate around Brussels, the Eurocrat said: “Personally I am very sad about this decision but of course we have to respect it.

"This is an unprecedented situation, but we are united in our response.”

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the EU chief executive met President of the European Council Donald Tusk and European Parliament President Martin Schulz in Brussels this morning.

A joint statement issued by the EU leaders expressed “regret” over the UK’s decision, but said the British people’s decision would be respected and urged for negotiations to be launched “swiftly”.