LEADING Brexit campaigner Daniel Hannan has taken a swipe at "attention-seeking politician" Nigel Farage.

Mr Hannan, a star of the Leave campaign and a Brighton resident, was speaking after his fellow South East MEP Mr Farage faced jeers and boos in the European Council yesterday for his aggressive rhetoric.

It also comes on the day Tory grandee and Mid Sussex MP Sir Nicholas Soames backed Boris Johnson for Prime Minister despite previously saying he did have the stature for the top job.

During an emergency debate on the UK's vote to leave the EU, UKIP leader Nigel Farage told MEPs "you're not laughing anymore" as he addressed the parliament.

During his speech he also declared: "Most of you have never done a proper job in your lives."

Asked about Mr Farage's words in Brussels, Mr Hannan took a more conciliatory tone and told The Argus: "I have been working to leave the EU since 1990, when I was a student. The happy day has finally come, and we now need to ensure that we depart on good terms.

"These countries, after all, our our nearest neighbours, our allies and our friends.

"I want to work with them toward a mutually beneficial solution, one that leaves in place the good elements of our present relationship while taking back control in other areas.

"Part of that deal will mean recognising the reciprocal rights of EU nationals here and Brits in Europe. That task is bigger than any attention-seeking politician."

Mr Farage was given short shrift from European Council president Jean-Claude Juncker who told the Brexit campaigner: "You were fighting for the exit, the British people voted in favour of the exit. Why are you here?"

Mr Juncker said the will of the British people must be respected, but said the Leave campaign had "fabricated reality" with some of its claims.

"Isn't it funny," Mr Farage said.

"When I came here 17 years ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the Europeans Union, you all laughed at me.

"Well you're not laughing now."

He was told the comment was not acceptable by Parliament president Martin Schulz, who lambasted the heckling MEPs for "acting like UKIP".

Meanwhile David Cameron said quitting the European Union must not mean Britain "turning our backs on Europe".

During his last scheduled European summit as Prime Minister, Mr Cameron said Britain should seek "the closest possible relationship" with its former EU partners in both sides' interests.

Mr Cameron said: "While we are leaving the European Union, we mustn't be turning our backs on Europe. These countries are our neighbours, our friends, our allies, our partners and I very much hope we will seek the closest possible relationship in terms of trade and co-operation and security, because that is good for us and it's good for them."

EU chiefs underlined their position that they will not start negotiations over a new relationship until the UK gives formal notification of its intention to withdraw by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

European Council president Donald Tusk said the EU was ready to start the process of withdrawal "even today", but would have to be "patient" as it was for the UK to initiate withdrawal.

He added: "We have precise procedures, we have a ready-worked plan - but I would like to underline very, very clearly that without notification from the UK, we will not start any negotiations on the withdrawal process or on future relations."

And European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said Brussels chiefs have been ordered not to enter into any "secret negotiations" with the UK over the terms of Brexit.

Mr Juncker made clear that Britain will not be allowed to dictate the terms of its new relationship with Europe, saying: "It is we who must decide what happens, not just those who wish to leave."

German chancellor Angela Merkel said she hoped the remaining 27 EU states would continue to regard Britain as a "friend and partner...despite this separation which we all regret".

Mrs Merkel said there could be "no informal or formal negotiations" with the UK until it submits its request to leave under Article 50.

Luxembourg's prime minister Xavier Bettel said the result of the withdrawal process must be clear-cut, telling reporters: "We are not on Facebook, where things are complicated. We are married or divorced but not something in between."