Richard Harrington has broken ranks and put his ministerial position on the line in a bold statement today.

The Watford MP says he is prepared to lose his job, as he stressed once again the importance of avoiding a no-deal Brexit.

The business minster was speaking to a room of German industrialists, as he responded to comments by Airbus, an aeroplane manufacturer, who said a no-deal could force the company to move away from the UK.

Tom Enders, chief executive of Airbus, has branded the government’s handling of Brexit a ‘disgrace’ because businesses are still “unable to plan properly for the future”, more than two years after the referendum.

Mr Harrington said he was “delighted” to see Mr Enders “tell it like it is”.

The MP said: “This is a disaster for business and business needs to know where it is.

"I am very happy to be public about it and very happy if the Prime Minister decides I am not the right person to do the business industry job.

“A no-deal Brexit would be a total disaster for the economy, I was delighted to read Airbus’ comments this morning because it is telling it like it is.”

Theresa May's official spokesman said: "Airbus said in their statement that the delivery of a pragmatic Withdrawal Agreement that allows for an orderly Brexit is best for Britain.

"That is exactly why the Prime Minister has been working so hard to deliver a deal that gives businesses certainty, with an implementation period and an orderly exit."