The car industry has launched a stinging attack on the “demonisation” of diesel by government after sales of vehicles powered by the fuel plunged by almost a third.

New car registrations data recorded an eighth consecutive month of decline in November, dropping 11.2pc on the same month last year.

The figures collated by industry trade group the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recorded registrations - a proxy for sales - of 163,541, hit by uncertainty caused by Brexit.