Brexit: French government demands 'rapid clarification' following May's resignation announcement

Jean-Claude Juncker says he has 'no personal joy' in PM's departure as EU leaders bid farewell

The French government has demanded Britain issue a “rapid clarification” to the status of Brexit following Theresa May’s announcement that she will be resigning.

EU leaders acknowledged the prime minister’s departure without much fanfare on Friday after she triggered a Tory leadership contest and said she would be gone by early next mont.

“Our relations with the United Kingdom are critical in all areas. It is too early to speculate on the consequences of [Theresa May’s] decision," an Elysee official said.

The official added that France wanted “rapid clarification" from Britain on the status of Brexit, after the process to find a consensus in Westminster ground to a halt.

A spokesperson for Angela Merkel said the German chancellor had “noted with respect” the prime minister's departure and looked forward to working with her successor for an orderly Brexit.

Her spokesperson told reporters that the chancellor and prime minister had “worked together in a good and trusting” relationship and would continue to do so while Ms May remained in office.

“We, and the EU as a whole, are interested in a good solution being found in Britain,” the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, said Mr Juncker liked working with the outgoing prime minister and felt no “personal joy” from her departure.

“He did not have any personal joy watching this announcement and that is why he asked that it is reiterated in his name that he very much respected he and still does and that she is a very courageous woman,” the spokesperson told reporters.

The prime minister will meet EU leaders one last time at a summit in Brussels on Tuesday.

The PM fought back tears on Friday morning outside Number 10, when she announced she would resign on 7 June – just a fortnight’s time.

A Conservative party leadership contest would follow and she would act as a caretaker prime minister during that period until her successor was in place, she announced.

The prime minister announced her resignation ahead an expected terrible round of European Parliament election results for her party, which polls suggest is facing its lowest ever score in a national election.

Tory cabinet ministers tried to force the prime minister to announce her resignation on Wednesday night, just hours ahead of the opening of polls in the contest.