The European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator is to meet with Remain-supporting British MPs in Brussels on Monday ahead of Brexit talks returning for the New Year.

Michel Barnier will receive two Tory rebels, Dominic Grieve and Anna Soubry, as well as Labour figures Chuka Umunna and Chris Leslie.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said the MPs had “things to say about the process” of negotiations and that they would be granted an audience with Mr Barnier.

The meeting is the latest in a long line for the EU’s chief negotiator, who earlier this month received former Ukip leader Nigel Farage and other Brexiteers, and last year spoke to other Remainers such as Nick Clegg, Ken Clarke, and Andrew Adonis.

The hosting of Conservative rebels while negotiations are still on-going might raise eyebrows in Downing Street. Ms Soubry said last year that “history will condemn” MPs who are not trying to stop Brexit, while Mr Grieve led efforts to amend the Government’s EU withdrawal bill, on which Theresa May suffered a humiliating defeat.

There is no date yet set for the resumption of Brexit negotiations in Brussels. Both sides hope to agree details of the transition of “implementation” period before March, when discussions on the future framework for trade are expected to begin.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

Under the EU’s terms, a separation deal will have to be finalised by October this year so that it can be scrutinised and ratified before Britain automatically leaves the bloc under Article 50 in March 2019. Following that, a full free trade agreement is expected to be negotiated, though it is not clear how long – or even what form – that will take.