EU foreign policy chief warns that officials in Brussels are still 'traumatised' by Britain's decision to leave the bloc

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, made the admission in remarks that will delight Brexit supporters who argued Britain was right to escape an institution rattled by its own loss of control. Kallas warned that the psychological damage from Britain's departure still shapes how Brussels approaches any future relationship with London.

She made the comments as speculation grows over closer UK-EU ties under Streeting or Burnham.

The remarks suggest the EU negotiates with London from a position of lingering anxiety, not strength.

Brexit supporters are pointing to Kallas's words as vindication that leaving exposed deep dysfunction at the bloc's core.