Theresa May is facing her first Cabinet clash with her new pro-Brexit ministers over when Britain should trigger divorce proceedings with the European Union.

The Prime Minister has signalled that she could delay the moment when she formally notifies Brussels that Britain is leaving the EU by invoking Article 50 of the European treaties.

Mrs May said she wanted to wait until Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, was happy with the plan so that there could be an agreed UK-wide approach to Brexit negotiations. Fears have been raised that this will mean years of delays as the Scottish National Party is opposed to Brexit.