The European Union is demanding billions of pounds after Brexit for aid to Africa, loans to Ukraine and environmental projects across Europe including bridges for wildlife.

With Brexit talks becoming increasingly hostile, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said yesterday that Britain’s refusal to honour long-term spending commitments made before the referendum was damaging trust.

It “would not be fair” if the remaining 27 member states were forced to make up the shortfall left by Britain’s withdrawal from the seven-year EU budget round that ended in 2020, he said.

During a heated press conference, David Davis, the Brexit secretary, accused Brussels of claiming legal obligations from Britain that were not “real”. Appearing alongside Mr Davis in Brussels, Mr Barnier warned that there had not been