Germany has been accused by allies of Theresa May of trying to influence the general election by undermining the Prime Minister over Brexit talks.

Allies of Mrs May believe Germany, in tandem with the EU, is embarking on a new 'project fear' by repeatedly briefing against her.

Senior officials in the German government and in Brussels have openly mocked Mrs May or leaked sensitive information about private meetings in what is being seen as an attempt to undermine the Prime Minister.

Last week Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, also suggested Britain had “illusions” over what it could hope to achieve from Brexit.