Angela Merkel sees no chance of British U-turn on Brexit, Start the Divorce Process

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday she saw no chance that Britain might go back on its decision to leave the European Union.

She said it was not a time for sorrow or anger, but that Europe must simply deal with the situation with which it was now confronted.

"I want to say very clearly tonight that I see no way to reverse this," Mrs Merkel said when asked about the possibility of a British U-turn on Brexit. "We all need to look at the reality of the situation. It is not the hour for wishful thinking."

EU Council President Donald Tusk agreed: "Europe is ready to start the divorce process, even today."

During the summit, Mr Cameron sat at one end of the oval summit table in blue shirt sleeves, arguing for the best possible exit conditions for his island nation. However, EU leaders refused to negotiate, seemingly eager to kick Britain out as soon as possible to avoid further political and economic turmoil after the shock and emotion of the British vote to leave last week.

Mrs Merkel said Mr Cameron could not "cherry-pick" the terms of the exit negotiations and that there would be no informal talks before Article 50 was triggered.