Juncker says EU would welcome UK back in even after Brexit

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he would be happy to welcome Britain back into the EU even after it leaves the 28 member bloc in March 2019.

Speaking to the European Parliament, Juncker said Britain could return under Article 49 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The comments come a day after European Council president Donald Tusk said he was open to a "change of heart" from the UK.

“Mr Tusk and I once again reached out to the British government yesterday and said that if the British people, the British parliament, the British government, wish for another way than Brexit, we would be prepared to discuss it. We are not throwing out the British, we want them to stay,” he said.

"And if they want to, they should be able to. But I noticed that in London, they have reacted almost upset at this reaction. Be it as it may, once the British have left under Article 50 there is still Article 49 which allows a return to membership and I would like that. I would like us now to treat each other with respect and not abandon each other.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union last March which started the two-year legal process of Britain's exit.

Article 49 is the mechanism for a country to join the bloc. Any new candidate state needs the unanimous consent of the members on the European Council, European Parliament, and consultation with the commission.