A massive poll of the readers of a leading German newspaper has revealed a majority support a so-called hard Brexit, with the UK outside European Union (EU) institutions such as the Single Market.

The survey of 45,000 Die Welt — Germany’s Times equivalent — readers revealed 54 per cent support a hard Brexit with “no compromises”, whilst 35 per cent opted for a so-called soft-Brexit described as the best “option for both sides”.

Despite the readers’ support for a UK outside the EU, the paper ran a scathing editorial, berating Brexit and the UK as “legendarily difficult and self-destructive”. The writer called the British “islanders”, a “hopeless case”, and “crazy”.

Responding to the article, the official Twitter account of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) commented: “Die Welt describes the UK as ‘legendarily difficult and self-destructive’.

“Difficult maybe, but self-destructive, an interesting perspective on our relations with the Continent over the years.”

Poll of 45K @welt readers: 54% support 'hard Brexit' w/ "no compromises." 35% support soft even though "it's best option for both sides." pic.twitter.com/wsgqkHZqCh — Nina Schick (@NinaDSchick) October 4, 2017

The Express reports the paper said: “Rolling your eyes at the British has turned into a competition in Europe.

“Since a narrow majority in the UK has decided to leave the European Union – the most successful alliance that this continent has ever seen – the islanders are considered a hopeless case.

“The unfortunate and futile attempts of their Prime Minister Theresa May to implement the will of the majority seem to confirm the general observation: these Brits are crazy.”

Discussing ministers with differing views on Brexit, the paper said Prime Minister Theresa May was a diminished leader attempting to manage a “Chaos-Brexit” which they described as “entertaining in a voyeuristic way”.

The article continues: “May’s flaxen-haired Foreign Minister is now also regarded as an ‘international joke’ in Great Britain.

“Shortly before the big Brexit speech of the boss, Boris Johnson stabbed her in her back and thwarted the desperate attempt to finally demonstrate unity in advance.

“This serves as a grand excuse for the skewed construct of letting the British government negotiate with Brussels bureaucrats.”

Despite attacking the British, the paper also had a warning for the EU and its chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

“Brussels and the European leaders would do well to quit the British-bashing and to exercise unfamiliar humility,” the paper adds.

“It would perhaps be clear to them that the British are indeed crazy, but the Europeans are as well. Therefore we actually fit really well together.”