Proof of David Cameron's sticking plaster approach to the EU? Royal crest slips off during chaotic press conference

The Prime Minister's official seal was stuck on with double-sided tape at a hastily-arranged press conference in the early hours of Friday morning

The moment the Royal crest started to slip off David Cameron's lecturn could come to symbolise the growing feeling of Britain slipping towards the EU exit door.

The Prime Minister was humiliated during his hastily-arranged press conference in Brussels last night - following marathon talks with EU leaders over his demands for reforming Britain's membership with the 28-state bloc - as the Government coat of arms fell off.

A Downing Street aide had to step in to stick the cardboard plaque back on the wooden lecturn but it soon started to slip again.

The crest was stuck on with double-sided tape - inviting criticism of Mr Cameron's sticking plaster approach to the reform process.

It symbolised the chaotic nature of the events in Brussels as Mr Cameron gave a press conference past midnight to tell journalists that he had made a "big step forward" in his bid to win four key reforms to the UK's relationship with the EU.

He signalled that progress had been made on the row over British demands for a four-year ban on in-work benefits for EU migrants but insisted there was "a lot of hard work to be done" to secure an agreement.

Mr Cameron hopes to sign a deal at the next EU summit in February.