(Reuters

Theresa May has been told to accept that Britain will not be a partner of "absolute equals" in Brexit talks as she arrived in Brussels for talks with European leaders.

The prime minister was due to try to explain why her cabinet is still at war on major issues with just four months to go when she meets her counterparts for dinner at the European Council summit later today.

Arriving at the summit, Ms May said she wanted to see "faster pace" of progress from both sides in the negotiations.

However European leaders ramped up the pressure on Ms May to intensify her efforts, with taoiseach Leo Varadkar describing the lack of progress "disappointing".

It comes after cabinet infighting moved into the open, with squabbling ministers clashing over Brexit and demands for cash for their departments.

But Ms May will have to find a way to unite her top team when they meet at her Chequers retreat next week to thrash out the future Brexit approach.