Michael Gove has accused Keir Starmer of trying to rig future elections and undermine Brexit by allowing EU citizens to vote.

The Labour leader’s proposal seeks to “downgrade the ultimate privilege of British citizenship”, Mr Gove wrote in a letter seen by the Daily Mail.

It comes after The Telegraph revealed that Sir Keir plans to allow migrants who live permanently in the UK and pay tax to vote in general elections if Labour wins power.

The move would be expected to affect around 3.4 million EU nationals in Britain, who have already fulfilled those requirements to achieve “settled status”.

Sir Keir’s proposals also include granting votes to 16 and 17-year olds.

In his letter to the Labour leader, Levelling Up Secretary Mr Gove asked: “Why do you think it’s right to downgrade the ultimate privilege of British citizenship – the right to vote in a general election?

“What do you say to those who say that your approach is designed to undermine Brexit – and “rig” the voting system for national elections and referendums?

“Is it still your view that the ‘age of adulthood in most cases’ is 18, or is this another area where you have changed your approach?”