Campbell hopes EUexit will inspire domino effect

Mr Campbell, who, writing in this newspaper argued that it was in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland to leave the European Union, said: “I can see the fires of democracy will burn across Europe.

“Because people who are Euroskeptics across the continent will see there is hope.”

Meanwhile, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, who had campaigned for the United Kingdom to ‘Remain’ within the EU, accepted that the people of the UK have spoken and it’s time to plan for the future.

“Despite the clear majority within Northern Ireland voting to Remain within the European Union, we must respect the overall result and deal with it and its implications, political, financial and social,” he said.

“There is no evidence that the Executive has been planning for this outcome.

“They need to move very quickly to reassure the public that there is a plan, because the full implications for Northern Ireland may not be clear for up to two years.

“This has been a bitter and divisive campaign.

“The result changes the nature of the United Kingdom and the Ulster Unionist Party will be tireless in playing its role in ensuring the Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland remains strong.”