BREXIT is tearing Britain apart, Donald Trump has claimed, as he said he was surprised how badly the EU withdrawal had been handled, warning another referendum would be "unfair".

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Irish premier Leo Varadkar, the US President set out his hopes for a "large scale" US-UK trade deal but noted how he was “not sure anybody knows" what was happening with Brexit.

"It's a very complex thing right now, it's tearing a country apart, it's actually tearing a lot of countries apart and it's a shame it has to be that way but we will stay right in our lane," declared Mr Trump.

He again claimed Theresa May had ignored his advice on how to handle the talks with Brussels.

The Prime Minister has previously revealed how the President had told her to "sue the EU" and "not go into negotiations".

Mr Trump said: "I'm surprised at how badly it's all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation. I gave the Prime Minister my ideas on how to negotiate it and you would have been successful. She didn't listen to that and that's fine; she's got to do what she's got to do.

“It could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly. I hate to see everything being ripped apart now."

On the prospect of a People’s Vote, the President said: "I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to the people that won. They'd say: 'What do you mean, you're going to take another vote?' So that would be tough.

"I thought it[Brexit] would happen, it did happen, and both sides are very, very cemented in. It's a tough situation. It's a shame.

"There was no reason for that to happen. They could have had the vote and it should have gone smoothly and unfortunately it didn't."

With MPs considering seeking to extend Article 50, Mr Trump suggested that Brexit was now likely to be delayed.

“They are probably going to have to do something because right now they are in the midst of a very short period of time - the end of the month - and they are not going to be able to do that."

The President stressed that he would like to see the "whole situation with Brexit work out," adding: “We are talking with them about trade and we can do a very big trade deal with the UK."

Turning to Mr Varadkar, he said: "Leo, I'm sure you agree on that. Would you like to express your feelings on Brexit? Maybe I shouldn't let you do it, I'll just get you in trouble."

The Taoiseach replied: "We have a different opinion, Mr President. I regret that Brexit's happening."