Liam Fox has given the strongest hint yet that the Government will prioritise border controls over membership of the Single Market after it leaves the European Union.

The International Trade Secretary yesterday heralded the "glorious opportunity" of Brexit as he said for the first time that he wants Britain to become a full independent member of the World Trade Organisation.

The move makes it increasingly likely that Britain will abandon full membertship of the Single Market so it can bring in curbs on the free movement of EU migrants.

Britain is instead expected to pursue a deal which will "maximise access" to the Single Market while retaining the ability to make free trade deals.

He also suggested that "modern-day critics of free trade" such as Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, should learn from the "devastating failures of alternative economic models" such as communism.

It came as Nissan, the Japanese car manufacturer, warned that it could scrap new investment in it's UK car plant unless the Government compensates it for any tarriffs imposed after Brexit.

Speaking in Manchester, Dr Fox said that Britain's free trade after it leaves the European Union will be "at least as free" as it is now. He suggested that Europe will suffer more than Britain if it chooses to erect trade barriers.