Boris Johnson was accused of “epic stupidity” last night after Downing Street confirmed that it may pull diplomats out of EU meetings before Britain’s departure from the bloc.

Civil servants working in Brussels are expected to be told within days not to participate in routine meetings to fulfil Mr Johnson’s pledge to “unshackle” officials to work on post-Brexit policy. The plan was condemned by MPs who warned that it would deprive Britain of important information and influence that would be relevant after Brexit.

Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, said that he had written to Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, asking him to explain the decision. “We are leaving and should seek to learn as much as we can about