MEPs are set to blast Boris Johnson’s approach on Wednesday. / But the ID group, which represents parties like French National Rally, Italy's Lega, and the German AfD appears to have come to the UK's aid and tried to get the debate postponed.

Further questions have been raised over Tory links to the European far-right after one of the party's MPs endorsed a conspiracist group on the fringes of French politics.

ID’s influence doubtful, however, after falling short in aim to become third-biggest bloc.

The Brexit Party has refused to rule out joining a new alliance far-right parties in the European Parliament, fuelling concerns that Nigel Farage could link up with extremist parties once safely re-elected.

Politicians from mainstream parties across Europe have called on voters to shun the far right in this week’s European elections after Austria’s vice-chancellor resigned over a video sting that showed him offering public contracts in exchange for financial and campaign backing.