European leaders re-elected Donald Tusk as European Council president at a Brussels summit on Thursday despite threats from his native Poland that it would block his appointment.

EU chiefs want to be rid of Britain as soon as possible, if a statement from the European Council released in the wake of the UK’s shock Brexit is anything to go by.

"Today, on behalf of the 27 leaders I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27," Tusk said.