The BBC has become embroiled in a fresh impartiality row as its “anti-British” Brexit day sketches for children were likened to comments made by the BNP.

The special edition of Horrible Histories, hosted by left-wing comedian Nish Kumar, included a sketch which suggested that Britain had produced little throughout history and had relied on imports.

Andrew Neil, one of the corporation’s own presenters described it as “anti-British drivel of a high order” whilst James Cleverly, the Tory MP said that suggesting that things which did not originate in Britain could not be British was an argument that had been made by the BNP.

The Brexit special of Horrible Histories was released on iPlayer on Friday to mark the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Mr Kumar introduces a series of sketches about Germany, Italy and France as he joke: “The UK is leaving the European Union. You might not have heard much about it because things have been so quick and so smooth. I mean, if anything, it's going too well.”

The show also contains a sketch in which Queen Victoria is told by her servant that sugar and tea are both important and rely upon the slave trade.