Simon Walker believes freedom of movement has been one of the best things about the EU

A senior director in Liam Fox’s Department for International Trade has called for the continued large-scale immigration of low-skilled workers to the UK — possibly from outside the European Union.

Huge swathes of British industry will have to be closed unless the country can go on importing hundreds of thousands of workers, according to the outgoing head of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Simon Walker, who is to join the trade department as lead non-executive board member, said: “One of the best things, if not the best thing, about the EU has been freedom of movement.”

The IoD remained neutral during the referendum campaign. In his new role in Fox’s department, Walker will be leading a board that oversees management rather than influencing policy.

Nonetheless,