Britain will lose influence in international affairs after it leaves the EU, the outgoing president of the European council has said. Speaking at the College of Europe, Donald Tusk said Brexit would be the 'real end' of the British empire.

"For us in those days, Europe really was a symbol of freedom, high standards, prosperity, modernity and security. And we have never been disappointed."

They blame everyone but themselves: the very people who cooked up Brexit, sold it as all things to all people, and now cry betrayal when reality intervenes.

EU leaders have agreed on a plan to delay the Article 50 process, postponing Brexit beyond 29 March. European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker updated reporters at a press conference which had some lighter moments.