Juncker: We respect and regret Brexit but EU is not at risk

The European Union "respects and regrets" Britain's decision to leave but is not at risk from Brexit, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said in a keynote speech.

Juncker used his annual State of the Union speech to reject claims Britain's exit signalled the start of a breakdown of the European political project.

"Allow me to state here and today that we respect and at the same time regret the UK decision but the European Union as such is not at risk," he said.

Juncker urged Britain to begin its exit "as quickly as possible".

He insisted relations with the UK "must remain on a friendly basis" throughout negotiations but warned Theresa May's government it couldn't pick or choose favourable elements of the EU, saying: "There can be no 'a la carte' access to the single market."

Juncker's speech also referenced the recent attack on a Polish man in Harlow as he addressed hate across the continent, saying: "Europe can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex."