Obama Says UK Special Relationship Will Endure

President Barack Obama has said the "special relationship" between the UK and US will endure following the Brexit referendum result.

Mr Obama, who had warned against Britain quitting the European Union, said on Friday that Washington would respect the British voters' decision to do just that.

The President used a high-profile visit to London in April to warn that Britain would be at the "back of the queue" for a trade deal in the event of Brexit.

Mr Obama said on Friday in a speech at a global entrepreneurs conference at Stanford University: "While the UK's relationship with the EU will change, one thing that will not change is special relationship that exists between our two nations. 

"That will endure. The EU will remain one of our indispensable partners."

Mr Obama said he had spoken to British Prime Minster David Cameron and is confident the UK is committed to an orderly transition out of the EU.

The President also said he believes the Britons' unexpected decision to leave the EU "speaks to the ongoing changes and challenges that are raised by globalisation".