Kerry to push for smooth break-up as crisis talks begin

JOHN KERRY, the United States Secretary of State, appealed for calm before flying to Brussels and London today for crisis talks.

Mr Kerry, the first senior US official to visit Britain since its European Union referendum, was expected to meet EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini before going on to see Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Kerry sought to reassure global financial markets the US would work to provide “continuity and stability”.

A senior US official said Mr Kerry would push for the break-up to go through smoothly, while also stressing the importance of other EU members not following Britain’s lead.