Angela Merkel says EU ready for Brexit talks: 'We want to do it quickly'

The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, said: "Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated."

Angela Merkel has said Brexit negotiations should go ahead as scheduled in nine days' time - despite the UK being plunged into political turmoil by the general election.

The German chancellor said the European Union wants talks to progress "quickly" and warned it will defend the interests of its members during the looming divorce proceedings.