The party’s new MEPs have met with the EU’s chief negotiator and representatives of the French President in their bid to deliver a second Brexit referendum. As EU leaders lose patience with the British Government, the Lib Dems want to ensure that another delay to Britain’s EU divorce is on the table to facilitate a so-called “People’s Vote”. Mr Barnier has promised to meet the Lib Dem’s next leader, who will be announced next week, this summer for further talks on their anti-Brexit plans.

The next party chief is also expected to hold talks with Mr Macron and Charles Michel, who will takeover as European Council president in November.

Catherine Bearder, the Lib Dem’s leader in Brussels, said: “Following the huge victory at the EU elections, it is now clear the Lib Dems are in the driving seat in Brussels. The next Liberal Democrat leader will be working with Macron and our other allies across the continent over the next few months.

“The Liberal Democrats are now the largest pro-European UK Party in Europe and this gives us a huge advantage in our efforts to stop Brexit.”

Lib Dem MEPs were buoyed by hints from Ursula von der Leyen, who is set to become the next European Commission chief, that she supports a third Brexit delay.

The German defence minister said she would be willing to back the delay for a “good reason” – understood to be a second referendum or general election.

She told MEPs this morning: “I stand ready for further extension of the withdrawal date should more time be required for a good reason.”

Responding to the comments, Ms Bearder added: “To secure a People’s Vote, we will need to ensure our European counterparts can agree to an extension in order for this to take place. We have already had assurances this morning from the new President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that an extension past October 31 is possible.

“We do not have to accept Boris Johnson’s ‘do or die’ plans. Brexit can be stopped. The Liberal Democrats will continue working across Europe in the fight to secure a People’s Vote, with the option to stay in the EU.”

News of the meeting sparked fury from inside the Brexit Party, who accused the Lib Dems of attempting to “overturn democracy”.

Brexit Party MEP Michael Heaver said: “Hardline Remainers simply refuse to accept the referendum result and are clearly doing all they can to overturn the will of the British people. It is disgraceful.

“The public recently reasserted their support for leaving the EU, electing myself and 28 other Brexit MEPs making us the largest party in the entire European Parliament.

“It is vital that there are no more delays and no more excuses: we must finally Leave in October. Hardline Remainers who wish to ignore and overturn democratic votes cannot be allowed to succeed – and the Brexit Party is here to ensure they don’t.”

The Lib Dems will have a tough time attempting to convince Mr Macron that another Brexit extension is worthwhile.

A small cabal of leaders led by the French President are firmly against allowing Britain to linger inside the EU – Mr Michel’s Belgium was also part of the group.

“Giving more time to the UK on Brexit is not the best strategy,” a French government source said.

“First of all, it’s disrespectful to the British people. In any case, telling them to re-vote until they vote correctly is stupid.”

Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar last week admitted there is “huge frustration” among EU capitals that Brexit continues to dominate their agendas.

He said: “The kind of sense I’d have from my colleagues around the table is that a further extension would only be contemplated for a realistic purpose.

“So say for example an election happened in the UK, say for example there’s a decision made by them, not by us, to have a second referendum.

“But what wouldn’t be contemplated is a further extension for another round of negotiations because negotiations are closed, or a set of indicative votes because they’ve already had them.”

EU officials believe Britain’s next prime minister will also target Mr Macron as a priority as part of their strategy to deliver Brexit.

Dublin and Berlin are also considered must-visit destinations for either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt.

The G7 summit in August could also be used as a negotiating flashpoint.

The gathering in French seaside town of Biarritz at the end of August would represent Mr Johnson or Mr Hunt’s first outing on the world stage after winning the keys to Downing Street.

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