The European Commission is engaged in a Soviet-style "disinformation campaign" designed to damage public support for Brexit, Tory MPs have claimed.

Two former ministers said EU officials appeared to be disseminating false statements aimed at stirring up opposition in the UK to the country's departure from Europe.

Their intervention came after the Commission's chief spokesman accused British negotiators of creating a gap in last week's schedule of talks in Brussels by being unavailable when they were needed for meetings on Wednesday - in contrast to the European teams who were "available 24/7".

UK sources dismissed the claim as "completely wrong", pointing out that talks did take place on Wednesday.

The claim heightened tensions as the leaders of the 27 remaining EU member states prepare to meet for a key summit in Brussels this week.