The European Union is “the greatest dream realised for human beings” for the past 1,500 years, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

The Archbishop said the EU ranked as the greatest achievement “since the fall of the western Roman Empire” in the fifth century.

A former Brexit minister said he was "astounded" by the remarks, adding that they showed that the Anglican church was "out of touch" with how people think.

The news came as it emerged that Labour will attempt to keep Britain permanently tied to the Single Market after leaving the EU and bound by the rulings of the European Court of Justice during a crucial Brexit vote next week.

In an address in Serbia last Sunday, Archbishop Welby said: "The EU has been the greatest dream realised for human beings since the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

"It has brought peace, prosperity, compassion for the poor and weak, purpose for the aspirational and hope for all its people.

He said: “Europe is not in danger of falling. And there is no sense in which I suggest that Brexit or other crises currently around will derail the European Union or bring about the downfall of Europe.