David Cameron has said Britain needs closer ties with the European Union, prompting fears the Brexit debate could be ‘reignited’.

The Foreign Secretary said the bloc is a ‘friend, a neighbour and partner’ and praised cooperation between the EU and the UKin supporting Ukraine.

But he was warned not to ‘reignite’ the debate around Brexit.

Lord Cameron told the BBC: ‘When you look at the engagement in Ukraine, that probably is the best example of how it’s worked.

‘There’s no doubt that Britain is the leading European power in helping Ukraine. I heard that over and over again from the president downwards. But we’re doing that in partnership with our European colleagues.

‘So I think we can make “friend, neighbour and partner” work, and I’m determined to do so’

It is Lord Cameron’s first time back in front line politics following his resingation as Prime Minister in 2016 when he led the unsuccessful Remain campaign.

Pro-Brexit Conservative MPs were left upset by the remarks, with Richard Drax, a member of the defence select committee saying: ‘You might want to remind Lord Cameron that we left the EU – no ifs or buts – and we’re doing very well, thank you.

‘I hope that Lord Cameron’s comments are not in any way reigniting the Brexit debate, because that would be entirely wrong.’

Sir Michael Fabricant said: ‘His statement simply reinforces the concerns of those voters who think David Cameron hasn’t moved on from the referendum.’

Lord Cameron also defended his pro-China policy, saying he wanted a ‘golden era’ of trade beween the two countries.

‘When I became prime minister, the greatest need was for Britain to grow again, trade again, with exports to help our businesses around the world,’ he said.