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UK must trigger Brexit clause immeditely says France

Foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault suggested Britain appoint a new premier 'within a few days' and invoke EU's article 50 to start exit talks.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

The EU's founding members have demanded the UK urgently invoke Article 50 and start the process of Brexit, reports Sky News.

Foreign ministers from the six original members attended a hastily arranged meeting in Berlin - with the UK not invited.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, French minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said it was a "matter of respect" that the UK did not "play cat and mouse" with its soon-to-be-former partners.

David Cameron said yesterday he would leave it to his successor to invoke Article 50, which will start the two-year negotiation of our departure.

A replacement is not expected to be in Number 10 until October - but pressure is mounting on the continent for swifter action.

Mr Ayrault said: "There is a certain urgency ...  It is in Britain's interest and in the interest of Europeans not to have a period of uncertainty that would have financial consequences, and that could have economic and political consequences.

"Of course a new (British) prime minister must be appointed, that will probably require a few days but this is quite urgent."

Read more of this report from Sky News.