EU officials call UK ‘leave’ leaders cowards

But, following Mr Farage’s shock resignation yesterday, Mr Juncker could not resist the opportunity to take a swipe at the anti-Brussels campaigner as well as Vote Leave figurehead Boris Johnson.

Juncker has sparred with Brexit leaders before.

“Yesterday’s shining heroes of Brexit have become the sorrowful heroes of today”, the European Commission president told the European Parliament as he condemned what he said was a lack of planning in London following June’s referendum.

Johnson, Farage, and others.

In a combative victory speech in the European Parliament last week Mr Farage told MEPs they are “not laughing” at him now after the Brexit vote.

‘They are, as it were, retro-nationalists. “Patriots don’t abandon the ship when the going gets tough”, Juncker said.

Mr Juncker insisted the European Union will not negotiate any terms for the British departure until a new prime minister formally triggers the withdrawal process and the two-year deadline it sets for a deal.

Prime Minister David Cameron created a vacancy by resigning from the office post the European Union referendum, despite a previous promise not to stand down.

“I could understand that the Remain camp needs weeks to reflect, but I do not understand that the Brexit camp needs months before knowing what to do”.

“Instead of developing a plan they are leaving the boat”, he said.

He accused the two “sad Brexit heroes” of walking away the moment things became hard and said he could not understand why the Leave camp did not have a properly worked-out plan for pulling out of the EU. The UK has yet to launch the article 50 procedure that starts its formal divorce from the EU.

Also during the parliamentary session, President of the European Council Donald Tusk reiterated his hope that the United Kingdom and EU will continue to have close ties in the future, but added his warning that there would be no single market à la carte.

Farage then announced on Monday he was standing down as Ukip leader, because he “wanted his life back”.