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Brexit: British PM David Cameron meets with EU leaders amid more pressure for quick exit

Source: CBC News:
June 28, 2016 at 08:05

No benefit from 'prolonged limbo' Dutch defence minister tells EU parliament

British Prime Minister David Cameron is meeting with European Union leaders today in Brussels for the first time since the U.K. voted to leave the 28-nation bloc, while, at home, opposition leader and fellow Remain campaigner Jeremy Corbyn will face a no-confidence vote from disgruntled Labour MPs.

Cameron will discuss the implications of last week's Brexit vote, which has sent the world's financial markets into turmoil. He has insisted the vote won't send the U.K.'s economy into a tailspin, even as the country was stripped of its top credit rating and stock markets.

European Council President Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, are scheduled to hold a news conference at 8 a.m. ET. CBCNews will stream it live.

Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she will use "all her strength" to prevent the EU from drifting apart in the wake of Britain's decision to leave.

In an address Tuesday to the German parliament, Merkel said she expected that Britain would want to maintain "close relations" with the EU once it leaves, but also signalled that it could not expect a business as usual approach.

"Whoever wants to leave this family cannot expect to have no more obligations but to keep privileges," she said.

Merkel reiterated that there can be no talks with Britain on leaving the EU until Britain starts formal procedure to leave.

The Dutch presidency of the European Union is also mounting pressure on Britain to make haste with its withdrawal

Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert told the EU parliament that, "No one, no one, will benefit from a period of prolonged limbo. The ball is in London's court."

Cameron on Monday deflected calls for a speedy departure, telling the MPs that the decision on its timing is "Britain's alone." Cameron announced his resignation following the Leave victory, and is expected to leave by October.

Corbyn, meanwhile, is facing a revolt from within the Labour Party over criticisms he didn't do enough for the Remain campaign.

Some 40 members of Corbyn's inner circle have resigned, accusing him of lacking the ability to lead the party. Party rebels hope that a vote of no confidence will force him to quit.

Corbyn has said he will not step down, maintaining he still retains grassroots party support.

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