Britain is set to lose one of the most senior military commander posts in Nato to either France or Germany, it was claimed this weekend.

A British officer has held the key role of deputy supreme allied commander Europe for much of the period since it was created in 1951.

Working with the supreme allied commander Europe, who is always an American general, the position has put Britain in a “pivotal” position in the alliance. The first to hold the post, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, worked under the leadership of the first supreme allied commander, General Dwight Eisenhower.

Experts say it is now “very likely” that Britain will have to relinquish the job because of Brexit. Sources close to Nato say France wants the role,