The UK will not be "less European" after the Brexit vote in the EU referendum, according to Boris Johnson.

Speaking after Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation, the pro-Leave campaigner insisted the result "does not mean that the United Kingdom will be in any way less united".

The Conservative MP also moved to reassure people concerned about the process of Brexit, insisting there was no need to invoke Article 50 - the procedure which triggers a fixed two-year countdown to leaving the EU.

"There is no need for haste," he said. "As the Prime Minister has just said, nothing will change over the short term except that work will have to begin on how to give effect to the will of the people and to extricate this country from the supranational system."

Despite the geographical divisions in the votes to leave or remain, which saw Scotland back continued membership of the EU, Mr Johnson said: "To those who may be anxious, whether at home or abroad, this does not mean that the United Kingdom will be in any way less united, nor indeed does it mean that it will be any less European."

In a speech at the Vote Leave headquarters in London, he paid tribute to David Cameron as "one of the most extraordinary politicians of our age" following the Prime Minister's decision to step down after the Brexit vote.

Mr Cameron was a "brave and principled man" who had given "superb leadership," he said.

Mr Johnson was joined by the other main players in the Vote Leave campaign, Cabinet minister Michael Gove and Labour MP Gisela Stuart.

Giving his reaction to Mr Cameron's announcement, the former London mayor said: "I know I speak for Michael in saying how sad I am that he has decided to step down but obviously I respect that decision."

Mr Johnson, seen as front-runner in the race to replace Mr Cameron, paid tribute to him: "I have known David Cameron for a very long time and I believe he has been one of the most extraordinary politicians of our age.

"A brave and principled man who has given superb leadership of his party and his country for many years."

He said it was Mr Cameron's "bravery" that gave the country the chance to vote on EU membership.

Mr Johnson dismissed suggestions it was "wrong" for the public to have been asked to decide on the issue and said it was "inevitable" that the question should have been decided by the people.

The former London mayor said: "I believe the British people have spoken up for democracy in Britain and across Europe and I think we can be very proud of the result.

"In the end this question is about the people, it's about the right of the people in this country to settle their own destiny."

Mr Gove said Mr Cameron called the referendum to allow the British people to decide "one big question" - on whether or not the country should leave the political structures of the EU.

He said: "The British people have given us all a very clear instruction and I know that we in politics will work calmly, cooperatively and consensually to implement that instruction from the people.

"The British people's vote to leave is the start of a process and while that process is ongoing our existing trading relationships with the European Union and the rest of the world will continue as before.

"In the coming days, government ministers and officials can meet to decide the next steps - officials and diplomats can start scoping out the broad parameters for full-scale talks with our European friends and the institutions in Brussels.

"Our shared mission is clear: securing the best possible terms for Britain and, of course, informal discussions should proceed our formal negotiations."