David Davis met with a hostile reception in Berlin on Thursday night as he attempted to win the support of German business leaders for a comprehensive free trade deal in Brexit talks.

Mr Davis’ attempt to court German industry appeared to have backfired as his speech was greeted with incredulous laughter.

The Brexit minister flew into Berlin amid concerns that the European Union is set to offer Britain a stark choice of a limited Canada-style free trade agreement or signing up to free movement.

In a speech to an elite gathering of German business leaders, Mr Davis said Brexit made it “more important than ever that the United Kingdom and Germany work together to protect the values and interests we share”.

But he was met with derision and disbelief. Heads of multi-billion pound companies shook their heads and muttered angrily as Mr Davis fumbled for answers under questioning.

“This old man is destroying Britain’s future,” Jürgen Müller, CEO of SIG, a leading German outsourcing company, said.

“He is being a British gentleman, lying with style,” said another businessman.