‘No need for haste’ on pulling Britain out of EU: Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson, who spearheaded the successful campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, said Friday there was no need to rush the process of pulling out of the bloc.

Boris Johnson, who spearheaded the successful campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, said Friday there was no need to rush the process of pulling out of the bloc.

Former London Mayor, and "Vote Leave" campaigner Boris Johnson leaves after giving a press conference at the headquarters of the 'Vote Leave' campaign in central London on Friday. (AP)

“There is now no need for haste,” Johnson told a London press conference in his first public comments since the results were announced.

He said the EU had been “a noble idea for its time” but was “no longer right for this country”.

The former London mayor stressed that Britain would not “turn our backs on Europe” and that “our children and grandchildren will continue to have a wonderful future as Europeans.”

LIVE: Boos, cheers and a departing PM as Britain leaves EU

There were chaotic scenes earlier when Johnson left his home in north London to booing and jeering from a large crowd of bystanders.

Protesters hurled abuse as police held them back to allow Johnson, a favourite to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron, to walk to a waiting car.

Video posted on social media indicated that a group of cyclists surrounded the car carrying Johnson at a nearby traffic light, briefly blocking its progress.

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