EU 'will not hold talks with UK until it triggers Article 50'

The European Union will not hold talks with the UK until it triggers Article 50 to leave, Germany, France and Italy have warned.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian PM Matteo Renzi agreed the decision at a meeting to discuss the Brexit vote in Berlin.

David Cameron earlier said Britain would decide to leave in its own time.

European Editor James Mates reports:

He ruled out triggering Article 50 himself, telling the Commons it was up to his successor and the next government to make the decision.

Our Europe Editor James Mates said Merkel was "already talking as if the UK has gone".

The German chancellor referred to the bloc as having 27 members, calling Germany, France and Italy the three big members.

French President Francois Hollande said at the conference that there is a "price to be paid" for leaving the EU as the "UK is discovering".

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi expressed sadness at Britain's impending exit.

But he said it was a "great opportunity to write a new chapter."

Britain voted 52-48 in favour of leaving the EU in a historic referendum on Thursday.