David Cameron has condemned "despicable" racism directed at immigrants and ethnic minority Britons after the vote to leave the European Union.
The Prime Minister hit out at those who have abused EU immigrants and black or Asian people as he insisted the country "will not stand for hate crime".
Mr Cameron also stood by his warnings about the risks of Brexit, stressing there would now be "adjustments" in the economy, the threat of the UK breaking up, and "challenging negotiations" with the EU.
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Giving a statement at his first Commons appearance since the referendum and his subsequent resignation announcement, Mr Cameron said: "We have a fundamental responsibility to bring our country together.
"In the past few days we have seen despicable graffiti daubed on a Polish community centre, we've seen verbal abuse hurled against individuals because they are members of ethnic minorities.
"Let's remember these people have come here and made a wonderful contribution to our country.
"We will not stand for hate crime or these kinds of attacks, they must be stamped out."
Mr Cameron also insisted the result of the referendum must be respected and Britain must leave the EU.
"The British people have voted to leave the European Union," he said.
"It was not the result I wanted, nor the outcome that I believe is best for the country I love. But there can be no doubt about the result.
"Of course I don't take back what I said about the risks, it is going to be difficult.
"We have already seen that there are going to be adjustments within our economy, complex constitutional issues, and challenging new negotiation to undertake with Europe.
"But I am clear and the Cabinet agreed this morning that the decision must be accepted and the process of implementing the decision in the best possible way must now begin."
Mr Cameron moved to reassure European citizens living in the UK and Britons living abroad that there will be "no immediate changes in their circumstances".
He highlighted that there will be no "initial change" to the way in which people in the UK travel or to the way goods move and services are sold.
He also suggested the country is "well placed" to face any economic challenges arising as a result of Brexit.
He said: "It's clear that markets are volatile. There are some companies considering their investments and we know this is going to be far from plain sailing.
"However, we should take confidence from the fact that Britain is ready to confront what the future holds for us from a position of strength.
"As a result of our long-term plan we have today one of the strongest major advanced economies in the world.
"We are well placed to face the challenges ahead.
"We have low stable inflation, the employment rate remains the highest it's ever been, the budget deficit is down from 11% of national income forecast to be below 3% this year."
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The Prime Minister also insisted that the financial system is "substantially more resilient than it was six years ago".
Mr Cameron also set out how the EU unit in Whitehall, set up to work out the complexities of the UK's divorce from Brussels, will work.
He said: "Clearly this will be the most complex and most important task that the British Civil Service has undertaken in decades, so the new unit will sit at the heart of Government and be led and staffed by the best and brightest from across our Civil Service."
The unit will be responsible for ensuring that the person who takes over as prime minister is given the "best possible advice from the moment of their arrival".
Mr Cameron insisted the UK's devolved administrations will be "fully involved" as the Government works on the negotiations.
Meanwhile, he said he had spoken to European leaders and told them that "the British Government will not be triggering Article 50 at this stage".
"Before we do that we need to determine the kind of relationship we want with the EU," he said.
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He added: "This is our sovereign decision and it will be for Britain and Britain alone to take."
Mr Cameron also set out his vision for post-Brexit Britain.
He said: "As we proceed with implementing this decision and facing the challenges that it will undoubtedly bring, I believe we should hold fast to a vision of Britain that wants to be respected abroad, tolerant at home, engaged in the world and working with our international partners to advance the prosperity and security of our nation for generations to come.
"I have fought for these things every day of my political life.
"I will continue to do so."
Jeremy Corbyn urged the Government to keep key Labour figures informed about Brexit strategies, as he was jeered over the infighting within his own party.
He said: "It does appear that neither wing of the Tory Government has an exit plan which is why we're insisting that the Labour Party be fully engaged in the negotiations that lie ahead.
"We need the freedom to shape our economy for the future and protect social and employment rights while building new policies on trade, on migration, environmental protection and on investment.
"I fully understand the Prime Minister is stepping down in a few months time but we cannot be in a state of paralysis until then."
The embattled Labour leader criticised "internal faction manoeuvring" on both sides of the House but was forced to sit down when the Government benches erupted with laughter and jeers.
He added: "Our country is divided and the country will thank neither the benches in front of me, nor those behind, for indulging in internal faction manoeuvring at this time.
"We have serious matters to discuss in this House and in the country..."
As the UK faces economic uncertainty in the wake of the vote, Mr Corbyn warned the Chancellor against further cuts and instead urged him to invest in communities that have been "let down".
He said: "Will the Prime Minister confirm that in the light of the economic turmoil the Chancellor will announce at least a suspension, preferably a termination of his now even more counter-productive fiscal rule?
"What the economy needs now is a clear plan for investment particularly in those communities that have been so damaged by this Government and have sent such a very strong message to all of us last week.
"Will he specifically rule out tax rises or further cuts to public services that were threatened in the pre-referendum?"
He also pushed the Government on what plans are in place to protect jobs, wages and pensions.
He added: "We understand that some measures cannot be discussed in the House, so will he give me an assurance that the Chancellor will provide priavte briefings to his opposite numbers on this matter?"
He also urged the Prime Minister to push ahead with negotiations with Brussels immediately.
"The Prime Minister is meeting the European Council tomorrow, I hope he's going to say that negotiations will begin so we know what's going on rather than being delayed until October."
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Following Mr Cameron's announcement that he intends to resign, he went on to thank the Prime Minister for leading a Government that introduced gay marriage and for his response to the Bloody Sunday inquiry and his reaction to the murder of Jo Cox.
However, Mr Cameron was not so kind in his response, quipping: "Can I kindly thank you for your kind remarks and the fact that you hope that we'll be debating with each other for some weeks and possibly months to come."
He added that Cabinet briefings would be made available to the Labour front bench
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