BREXIT: Brussels chiefs want to carry out ‘divorce proceedings’ as QUICKLY as possible

"DIVORCE proceedings" with the European Union would last no longer than two years if Britain quits the bloc, it has been claimed.

Top Brussels sources last night said that negotiations would be done "as quickly as possible" in the event of Brexit on June 23.

The comments come as a blow to Remain campaigners, who have previously claimed that any re-negotiation with Brussels could take a decade.

One anonymous insider said: "It is in our interest to do the divorce as quickly as possible.

Another source said: "The shorter the better. No one wants to go beyond the two years. The show must go on."

This flies in the face of claims by Europe minister David Lidington, who said on Thursday it was doubtful whether Britain would get any trade agreement with the EU within 10 years.

But there are fears that Brussels could not receive preferential treatment if Britain votes leave in the 23 June vote.

Richard Tice, a co-founder of Eurosceptic group Leave.EU, said the likely roadmap sketched by EU sources was "exactly the sort of scaremongering that we have expected from the Remain camp.

"It reminds us of the threats people made if we did not join the euro.

"Brussels has a track record of bullying and denying democracy, but they underestimate the fighting spirit of the British people."