Liam Fox told Conservative activists that British businesses had become fat and lazy. British businesses have disagreed

Liam Fox was accused yesterday of having a view of British business that came from the “dark ages”.

A number of senior executives lined up to criticise the international trade secretary after he was recorded by The Times telling Conservative activists that British businesses had become fat and lazy. Some bosses were more interested in playing golf than building export markets, he had suggested.

Leading businessmen accused the minister of trying to prepare excuses for when Brexit damaged the economy.

Kevin Ellis, chairman of the UK’s largest professional services firm, PwC, said the attack was unhelpful, adding it was important that the UK “stays together” before the Brexit negotiations begin.

Dr Fox was also criticised by Gareth Stace, the head of UK Steel, for suggesting