Britain's Brexit minister David Davis says Britain could still walk away from negotiations with the European Union with no deal, and it's important to keep that option open as talks over the terms of Britain's departure from the bloc begin.
Davis said the government had looked at contingency plans for walking away without a deal and it was an important option in order to get the best deal for Britain.
"If you go into a negotiation without the ability to walk away then you will have a poor outcome in that negotiation," he said on BBC radio, adding that he expected Britain would be able to agree a deal with the EU.
"They (the European member states) have their own interests, so it is important that we have the option if it comes down to it, I don't think it will, but if it comes down to it, to be able to walk away."
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Britain's ruling Conservative party unexpectedly lost its parliamentary majority last week, weakening Prime Minister Theresa May just days before negotiations over the UK's departure from the EU start.
Davis said European citizens should not worry about their future rights as he hoped a deal would be reached swiftly after the start of Brexit talks on June 19.
The minister said he would attend the detailed discussions on Britain's divorce from the EU while May would do the "big negotiations" with other leaders.
"You have people worrying here in Britain that they can't stay here, you have Brits living in Spain worrying they will not be able to stay there," Davis told BBC radio.
"The worries are unnecessary and they shouldn't have them but we want make sure they are dealt with as soon as possible," he said.
He said money and Northern Ireland would also be on the agenda at the start of Brexit talks.
