Britain's decision to leave the European Union puts German Chancellor Angela Merkel at centre stage as the bloc seeks to preserve its unity and win back sceptical voters across the continent.

Britain’s top equity index edged lower yesterday, with a decline for commodities stocks such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell overshadowing gains in travel group TUI.

British retail sales growth surged in May as expectations for sales next month hit their highest level in more than 26 years, an industry survey showed.