Jeremy Corbyn has accused Boris Johnson of arrogance, after the Foreign Secretary said the EU could “go whistle” if it makes “extortionate” demands over Brexit.

Mr Johnson was responding to MPs’ questions over the proposed “divorce bill” which the UK is expected to receive next week as Brexit negotiations resume in Brussels.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has suggested the bill, which covers outstanding liabilities for programmes the UK signed up to as an EU member, as well as ongoing costs including staff pensions, could be £50 billion, while unconfirmed reports claim it could reach almost twice that.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (PA)Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (PA)

Tory Eurosceptic Philip Hollobone said the UK had made a net contribution of £209 billion to the EU since joining in 1973, asking: “Will you make it clear to the EU that if they want a penny piece more then they can go whistle?”

Mr Johnson replied: “I’m sure that your words will have broken like a thunderclap over Brussels and they will pay attention to what you have said.

“He makes a very valid point and I think that the sums that I have seen that they propose to demand from this country seem to me to be extortionate and I think ‘to go whistle’ is an entirely appropriate expression.”

Boris Johnson suggested EU leaders could 'go whistle' over the Brexit bill (PA)Boris Johnson suggested EU leaders could ‘go whistle’ over the Brexit bill (PA)

Speaking outside the chamber, Mr Corbyn said: “I think it is ridiculous for the Foreign Secretary to approach important and serious negotiations with that silly, arrogant language that he so often employs.

“If you start on the basis of those silly remarks, what kind of response does he expect to get?”

Mr Corbyn is due to meet EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels on Thursday for “exploratory discussions” about the negotiations ahead.

He said Labour would “pay what we are legally required to pay”, but nothing beyond that.

Brexit Secretary David Davis is due to begin the first full round of negotiations with Mr Barnier on Monday.

David Davis is due to take part in the first full round of Brexit negotiations next week (Jonathan Brady/PA)David Davis is due to take part in the first full round of Brexit negotiations next week (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mr Johnson’s comments came after Number 10 sources played down suggestions that Prime Minister Theresa May plans to walk out of Brexit talks in September to show defiance over the EU’s demands.

The Foreign Secretary said the public wanted the Government to “get on and deliver a great Brexit”, insisting “there is no plan for no deal because we are going to get a great deal”.

His comments were dismissed as absurd by Labour MP Chris Bryant, a leading member of the Open Britain campaign for continuing close links with the EU.

“Boris Johnson’s bluster about getting a ‘great deal’ makes him sound like Donald Trump’s unofficial spokesman, not the British Foreign Secretary,” he said.

But Mr Johnson’s remarks were welcomed by Ukip Brexit spokesman Gerard Batten, who said the UK did not owe the EU “a penny”.

“The Government should tell the EU to get lost. It should seize the initiative in the Brexit ‘negotiations’ and tell the EU how we are leaving – not ask it how.”