Brexit divorce must be 'quick': Juncker

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said Britain's plaed departure from the European Union was "not an amicable divorce" but called for it to be quick.

"I do not understand why the British govement needs until October to decide whether to send the divorce letter to Brussels," he told German public broadcaster ARD late last night.

"I'd like it immediately."

He admitted that the EU had hoped Britain would stay but that now it was key to make the separation process as speedy and painless as possible.

"It is not an amicable divorce but it was also not an intimate love affair," he said.

"It is not a good day for Britain and the European Union but we must go on."

In the wake of the shock referendum outcome British Prime Minister David Cameron said that he would resign his office by October and leave negotiations to his successor.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz, also speaking to ARD, called Mr Cameron's decision to possibly wait until October to leave "scandalous", saying that he was "taking the whole (European) continent hostage".