Former London mayor Boris Johnson has warned against rushing Brexit mechanisms after yesterday’s referendum
Former London mayor Boris Johnson has resisted calls to push for an immediate separation from the European Union.
Johnson, the favourite to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron, said that after yesterday's decisive referendum there is little need to rush procedures.
“There is no need for haste,” Johnson said, speaking for the first time since the UK's referendum vote was confirmed.
“Nothing will change over the short term, except that work will have to being on how to give effect to the will of the people.
He added: “There is no need to invoke article 50.”
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It comes despite pressure from the likes of Ukip's Nigel Farage to immediately launch talks.
Farage said earlier today that the formal mechanisms for separating from the EU should be be triggered “as soon as humanly possible”.
Johnson's comments were echoed by justice secretary Michael Gove, who called Brexit “a gradual divergence”.
Yesterday's vote, Gove said was the “start of a process”, and he emphasised that informal discussions should precede any formal negotiations.
And Gove also noted that representatives form all parts of the UK should participate in Brexit talks, adding: “We should draw on wisdom from great minds from outside politics.”
Both Johnson and Gove also sought to play down the fears around yesterday's vote.
"This does not mean that the UK will be in any way less united, nor indeed does it mean that it will be any less European," Johnson said, adding that he wanted to directly address the fears of the UK becoming more isolated.
"We cannot turn our backs on Europe. We are part of Europe. Our children and our grandchildren will continue to have a future as European."