Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “kowtowing” to Brussels after he met EU leaders to plead for closer ties with Britain. The Prime Minister held talks over dinner in the Belgian capital in the latest stage of his master plan to “reset” relations with the bloc.

Sir Keir Starmer is heading to Brussels to join a gathering of European Union leaders – the first time a British prime minister has done so since Brexit. Starmer is heading over the English Channel for talks focused on defence and security co-operation and will also meet Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.

French President Macron is expected to tell Sir Keir Starmer that Brexit has failed as he appears at a key EU summit.