EU Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt has sparked fury after claiming that former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill would have voted to remain in the European Union.

Mr Verhofstadt also accused Eurosceptics of destroying Sir Winston's legacy, a claim that prompted a furious backlash.

The European Parliament's negotiator told MEPs: "In May 1947, in the Albert Hall in London, Churchill, the British Bulldog, made it very clear what he wanted. And I quote, 'I present the idea of a United Europe in which our country will play a decisive part. (…) as a member of the European family'.

“Yes, the Tories were openly pro-European at that time.”