The British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said his country needs to re-evaluate its position in light of Brexit.

In a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, he set out where Britain would be in a post-Brexit world.

He suggested its global connections could help it be an "invisible chain" linking democracies together.

But he said: "We need to begin with a realistic assessment of our global position.

"That means not overestimating our strength but not underestimating it either.

"We are not a superpower and we don't have an empire."

But he added: "We do have the fifth biggest economy in the world, the second biggest military budget in NATO, the third biggest overseas aid budget, one of the two largest financial centres, the global language, highly effective intelligence services and a world class diplomatic network".

He also pointed to Britain's diplomatic footprint "with an embassy or a high commission in every member of the Association of South-East Asian nations."

Mr Hunt said: "Those connections are why Britain's post-Brexit role should be to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world, those countries which share our values and support our belief in free trade, the rule of law and open societies.

"That doesn't mean being dogmatic or forcing our values on others. And of course we recognise that every country is different.

"But it does mean speaking out for those fundamental principles to our friends, as well as those who set themselves up in opposition to them.

"It means being active where we have special responsibilities, such as securing peace in Yemen.

"And it means working with others where we can be most effective, such as with the French in Libya, NATO in Afghanistan and the United States and Australia in Asia."

Britain is set to leave the European Union on March 29th.

While a vote on the Brexit withdrawal agreement is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons next week.