Nesbitt: We respect vote for Brexit

The Strangford MLA said that the “political crisis” had plunged the country into a period of uncertainty which could last for years.

However, he firmly emphasised that the outcome must be accepted.

“There is only one certainty, and that is the result. The result is the result. Be in no doubt. We asked the people of the United Kingdom for their view, and the people of the United Kingdom gave us their view. It was to leave the European Union. The Ulster Unionist Party accepts that result.”

Firmly distancing himself from those such as the QC Geoffrey Robertson who are urging MPs to ignore the result of the referendum, Mr Nesbitt said: “The result is the result. There is no point in trying to say that it was a non-binding referendum and that Parliament is sovereign.

“Given the low esteem that many of us as elected politicians here and in other chambers are held in by the people of the United Kingdom, the last thing we should do is say, ‘Tell us what you want us to do’ and then ignore it and do what we want to do. No: the result is the result. We are on our way out of the European Union.”

Likewise, fellow Remain campaigner Naomi Long, said that the result must be respected.

The Alliance deputy leader said: “We need to acknowledge that the vote across the UK was to leave the European Union. For me, that is a regrettable decision, but I acknowledge and accept it ... To do otherwise would leave an electorate that was already clearly angry and disaffected even more angry and disaffected.”