We won’t pay EU a penny more than we have to, insists Boris

give a figure when the talks resume in Brussels next week.

Earlier this year, Mr Johnson had claimed that the EU could “go whistle” for the money.

Yesterday he clarified his position by accepting that the Government would have to meet previously agreed financial commitments.

He said: “Of course we will meet our obligations. We are law-abiding, bill-paying people.

“The UK has contributed hundreds of billions over the years.”

He added: “Some of the sums that I’ve seen seemed to be very high.”

Mr Barnier has refused to put a figure on the exit bill he wants Britain to pay. Some European Commission sources have suggested the figure could be up to £85billion to cover a wide range of Brussels spending commitments.

There is understood to be deep concern within the bureaucracy of a cash crisis when Britain’s annual multi-billion budget contributions come to an end.

Mr Johnson declined to answer questions about whether he supported the idea of a transition period lasting several years to allow businesses to adjust to new arrangements after Brexit.

He would only say that “speed and efficiency” should be the priority in arranging from the bloc.

Brussels sources suggested Mr Barnier would next week ask for Britain’s proposals for a formula for calculating the exit fee rather than a specific figure.

One official said: “We are indeed not looking at a number now, but we need to have these guarantees that the commitments to which the UK is a member will be honoured.”

Whitehall sources say Mr Davis will resist Mr Barnier’s request.

UK diplomats fear European Commission officials will use any figures put forward to then try to drive up the bill as high as possible. Britain’s departure