We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again.

Angela Merkel has reacted to Britain's decision to leave the EU

But in her first public address since the nation backed a Leave vote, the German chancellor called for Brussels to maintain "close future relations" with Britain.

Mrs Merkel said we are "living in a world of turmoil" as she urged Europe to remain “calm and composed” in the wake of the historic Brexit result.

She said: "We have to remain calm and composed. We need to make composed analysis and decisions.

"The EU is one of the world's largest economic areas, a guarantor of peace and stability.