UK will probably invoke Article 50 in early 2017 - Boris Johnson

UK's foreign minister Boris Johnson in a rare hint of the government’s plans for Brexit told Sky News that the UK government is likely to trigger article 50 and begin the process of the country’s formal departure from the European Union early next year. The foreign secretary said that ministers would also set out the principles for departure at that time, and suggested the exit procedure could take less than the scheduled two years.

Prime Minister Theresa May declined to back up Johnson’s contention and rubbished his claims almost immediately. Theresa May has previously made clear her frustration with ministers expressing views on how a Brexit deal or process might look.

European Parliament president Martin Schulz visited Britain and held talks with May about Britain leaving the EU. Mr Schulz is pressing for the UK to get on with Brexit as he is keen to wrap up negotiations before European elections in mid 2019, meaning Article 50 would have to be triggered by May next year.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The government’s position has not changed – we will not trigger article 50 before the end of 2016 and we are using this time to prepare for the negotiations.”