European member states have invited Britain to remain part of Brussels' budget negotiations for an additional seven years, as senior Conservative MPs warn of a plot to prevent a ‘clean’ Brexit.

The UK is believed to have accepted an invitation to remain locked in discussions over the EU’s £1.3 trillion budget up to 2027, meaning British officials would continue to be heavily involved in the bloc’s structural framework.

The offer was made by the 27 member states which make up the European Council, who have defied the wishes of senior Brussels figures by calling for Britain to remain involved in key spending plans long after it is due to leave the European Union.

According to The Times, the decision was taken because EU officials believe the UK will continue to pay billions of pounds into the bloc in order to maintain access to certain agencies and spending programmes.

However, the disclosure has provoked a backlash among senior Brexiteers, who warn that it is a ploy designed to prevent the UK making a clean break from the EU.