Britain will be “ruthlessly pragmatic” in talks to reset its relations with the EU, the Brexit minister said, adding to fears that the Government is attempting to rejoin the bloc “by stealth”.

Nick Thomas-Symonds promised new deals on security, defence, food standards and energy with the bloc on Tuesday as the first post-Brexit summit was announced to kickstart the negotiations.

It came after Sir Keir Starmer became the first prime minister to address a meeting of EU leaders since Brexit as he attended a summit dinner in Brussels on Monday night.

The Government is attempting to improve post-Brexit trading ties with the bloc in an effort to boost economic growth.