May hopes for 'frank and open' EU talks with Merkel

Theresa May will meet with Angela Merkel on Wednesday Credit: PA

Theresa May aims for "frank and open" discussions with Angela Merkel on Wednesday about Britain's eventual departure from the European Union.

The new Prime Minister will make her first overseas trip when she travels to meet the German chancellor before heading to Paris on Thursday for talks with French president Francois Hollande.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Mrs May said she aimed to deliver a clear message to her European counterparts that Britain hopes to strengthen relations with countries once it has left the EU.

The Prime Minister's next trip will be to Paris on Thursday Credit: PA

It is expected that the Prime Minister will tell Mrs Merkel she does not intend to immediately invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and initiate Britain's departure from the EU.

Rather, she will say that the Government needs time to consult with devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland first.

Theresa May insists she must first negotiate with the UK's devolved governments Credit: PA

Brussels has warned that no formal or informal talks on Britain's future relations with the EU will commence until Britain has formerly invoked Article 50.

On Tuesday, UK government lawyers told a court that Mrs May had made clear she did not intend to deploy the Article before the end of 2016, though Number 10 stressed that this was a decision for the Government to make.