UK business leaders caution against hasty EU exit

Heads of commerce groups say they do not like the uncertainty Brexit has heralded but nor do they want a rushed deal

UK business leaders have cautioned against kickstarting the process to leave the EU too quickly, after European governments piled pressure on Britain to leave the bloc as soon as possible.

Acknowledging that the climate of uncertainty that came with the referendum result was bad for the economy, the heads of the UK's biggest business groups urged the government not to rush to invoke article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, which sets out what an EU country must do leave the union voluntarily.

Related: What is article 50 and why is it so central to the Brexit debate?

Related: EU parliament leader: we want Britain out as soon as possible

Related: Shares down, jobs down, prices up? Business comes to terms with Brexit

Related: City of London could be cut off from Europe, says ECB official