The European Union demands that Britain make "sufficient progress" on its divorce before talks on a trade deal can start as it lays out its tough Brexit negotiating plans.

Germany and France led demands for Britain to negotiate a quick divorce from the European Union, with Paris warning that populism will otherwise take hold after the vote to leave the bloc sent shockwaves around the world.

As the UK opted out of the European Union, foreign affairs experts yesterday stressed the need for immediate talks with the UK on