The European Commission says the choice to end free movement “inevitably means that business travel between the EU and the UK will no longer be as easy as it currently is”.

Van Damme, best known for his martial arts action films, launched an emotive campaign on social media, posting selfies of him hugging his chihuahua, which eventually persuaded Bulgaria’s food safety authority to accept the dog back.

The white Pomeranian was bought in Bulgaria, where Miss Mehmed is from (Picture: Aylin Mehmed/MEN Media)The vet then notified Oldham Council as the dog had travelled through countries where rabies is known to exist.