It marks a change of tone from the pro-EU politician, who previously has called for Britain to rejoin the bloc.

In the Lords on Monday, Baron Adonis jokingly said he is thinking of applying to head the Government’s new Brexit Opportunities Unit as it would offer the chance to rejoin the EU.

In response to former Vote Leave director Dominic Cummings’ BBC interview on Tuesday, the Labour peer said: “If Cummings doesn’t believe Brexit is definitely a good idea, and Johnson was on the fence until recruited by Cummings, why are we doing it rather than asking the British public whether they really want it?”

He also said: “Cummings interview will be seen as a key moment in reversing Brexit.

“He didn’t even mean it and doesn’t any longer support the puppet leader he got to do it.”