Europe must address the “unintended consequences” of the free movement of persons following Britain’s decision to quit the EU, according to leaked plans for a major post-Brexit summit of EU leaders to be held in Bratislava later this week.

The discussion points draw up by Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, hint that Britain is not alone in wanting some curbs on free movement – demands that were the cornerstone of David Cameron’s failed renegotiation with the EU last February.

“[We must] address possible unintended consequences of free movement of persons while fully upholding the principle,” say Mr Tusk’s key summit talking points which were leaked to Politico.

The remarks could give hope that the EU is preparing to be more flexible on the issue of free movement, but British and EU officials warned that any changes would fall far short of the kind of measures Britain would need to substantially cut EU migration.

“It shows that some member states believe that Britain had a point in February, but it doesn’t mean the EU is preparing to ‘cave’ on free movement,” a senior diplomatic source with knowledge of the UK’s Brexit preparations told The Telegraph.