British diplomats will be pulled out of EU meetings on European law and policy under plans designed to show Brussels that Britain is serious about quitting the bloc on October 31.

The move, which is expected to take effect in a matter of days, comes after Boris Johnson said he would “unshackle” British officials from EU affairs in his first statement in the House of Commons. Mr Johnson has vowed Britain will leave on Hallowe'en, with or without a deal from Brussels.

British diplomats attend regular working groups with representatives of the EU-27 in Brussels on a wide range of issues such as foreign policy and consumer protection.

UK officials have worked to mitigate draft EU legislation that could penalise British interests after it has left the EU.

EU diplomats said that the British contribution had been valuable, as officials diligently attended meetings after Theresa May vowed the UK would play a “full part” in the EU until the moment it left.