Brexit ‘may never happen,’ insists Polish minister after London visit

Brexit may never happen and Britain should stay in the European Union for as long as possible, Poland’s foreign minister has said.

Witold Waszczykowski said it is in Poland’s interest that Britain remains a member of the EU and pays into the bloc’s budget for as long as possible.

Mr Waszczykowski was speaking during an interview with Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita a day after he accompanied the prime minister Beata Szydlo on a visit to London.

"Brexit will not take place earlier than in two to three years, if it takes place at all," he said.

"In the next three years there is no need to treat Britain as a child with special needs, which is stigmatised and marginalised."

He added: “It is in our interest that Britain remain an EU state as long as possible and pay contributions as long as possible."

Last month, Mr Waszczykowski's deputy said Britain should keep paying into the EU's budget until the end of the current budget period in 2020 despite.

He made the remarks despite Britain voting to leave the 28-country bloc and Theresa May’s plans to trigger Article 50, the process by which the UK will leave the EU, next March.

Britain has singled out Poland as a potential ally in Brexit negotiations but the Polish government has made no secret of the fact it would rather the country did not quit the EU.

Mr Waszczykowski was among ministers who accompanied the Polish Prime Minister on a visit to London on Monday.