Jean-Claude Juncker addressed the European parliament yesterday before flying back to Brussels to prepare for “emergency” talks

A chaotic no-deal Brexit moved closer after last night’s defeat, the European Union’s leading officials warned.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, appealed to MPs to find answers and strongly hinted at the need for a second referendum or parliamentary vote to cancel the decision to leave.

“If a deal is impossible and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?” he said.

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, told the European parliament this morning that the EU “is fearing more than ever” a chaotic Brexit. He said that it was “too early to assess the consequences of this vote” but added that the EU was ready to open discussions