Thousands back EU citizenship plan

Speaking to London-based radio station LBC he said: “[They] are saying: ‘I want to continue my link with Europe; I don’t want to lose completely my EU citizenship’, and I’m looking to the possibilities, what elements of this EU citizenship we can keep on an individual basis.”

He added the plan had “captured the imagination and hopes” of young people, in particular, and while he could not promise it will be possible he hoped to see the EU “respond positively”.

“It’s very important that it is not the citizens of the UK who become the victims of this new situation and of the Brexit,” he said.

The associate citizenship idea would allow citizens of a former EU state to voluntarily sign up to remain EU citizens, with some or all of the rights that entails, including free movement to live and work in countries such as France.

It would not however resolve issues that are in the power of the UK government, including annual uprating of the old age pension, or compensating for loss of the S1 form scheme for pensioners' healthcare.

It is suggested an annual fee would be payable for it.

The idea was first suggested by Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens before being taken up by Mr Verhofstadt, the leader of the ALDE liberals and democrats group in the European parliament and the parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator. He has said he would raise it when the parliament votes on a resolution on its negotiating aims after article 50 is triggered.