Italy’s foreign minister has suggested that Brexit may not happen after all, referencing points in recent European history when the public vote has been overturned.

Paolo Gentiloni said that some referendums that have taken place in Europe in the past two decades have not been enforced.

“In the last 20 years we saw decisions, referendums in Europe changed by other referendums or even by decisions of the national parliament," he said.

The UK government has officially rejected the call for a second referendum, after reviewing a petition signed by 4.1 million people calling for a re-vote. The petition suggested that for the result to count, one side of the referendum should get 60 per cent of the vote.

A response to the petition from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:

“The [European Union Referendum] Act did not set a threshold for the result or for the minimum turnout.

“The Prime Minister and Government have been clear that this was a once in a generation vote and, as the Prime Minister has said, the decision must be respected.

“We must now prepare for the process to exit the EU and the Government is committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for the British people in the negotiations.”

The day before the EU referendum, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi pleaded for British people to vote for the UK to remain in the EU.