A 451-page dossier leaked last month has revealed a US veto over any discussions on the climate crisis in future trade talks. The revelation has sparked outrage from climate campaigners as well as critics of Mr Johnson wary of Donald Trump’s aggressive foreign policy. Nick Dearden of Global Justice Now said: “The fact that the US has banned even the mention of climate change says it all.

“Trump is a climate denier and any US deal is going to make it much harder for Britain to meet its already tepid commitments.”

Greenpeace director Dr Doug Parr also hit out at the relegation.

He said: “If ‘climate change’ are taboo words for Trump’s negotiators, that’s just a hint of the crushing pressure our environmental standards will come under in any trade deal with the US.

“For US industrial lobbies, this deal is the long-awaited chance to get rid of the rules banning things like chlorinated chicken and hormone-grown beef from our shelves, while leaving our climate and energy policies at the mercy of trade disputes.”

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10.10am update: Government orders new Brexit 50p coins to mark EU departure 

A new Brexit 50p coin is to be made to commemorate the UK leaving the EU. 

Following a meeting of royal advisers known as the Privy Council this week, the Queen has ordered the minting of the new “gold, silver and cupro-nickel coins” featuring the updated exit deadline of 31 January.

They will feature the phrase: “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.”

Commemorative coins had previously been issued to mark the previous Brexit deadline of October 31, but had to be melted down after the departure date was extended. 

9.56am update: US ambassador hails ‘roaring twenties’ for Britain after Brexit 

Robert “Woody” Johnson, the US ambassador to Britain has predicted the country will enter the “roaring twenties” after Brexit is delivered.

He said Brexit was a “really amazing opportunity for this country” as the start of a new decade approaches in just a few days’ time.

9.30am update: Shock US trade deal leak

More on the US trade demands, which have infuriated climate campaigners.

The ultimatum was detailed in a dossier leaked last month during the general election campaign.

One memo said: “UK inquired about the possibility of indulging reference to climate change in a future UK-US trade agreement given that the UK has a strong historical stance on climate change and pushed strongly for the Paris Agreement.

“UK also highlighted the pressure for this that would come from civil society and NGOs.

“US responded emphatically that climate change is the most political question for the US mentioning that as of 2015, US trade representatives are bound by Congress not to include mention of greenhouse gas emission reductions in trade agreements.

“US stated this ban would not be lifted anytime soon.”

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