BMW could be forced to close its Cowley MINI factory if car parts are delayed by lengthy customs checks post-Brexit, a senior manager has warned.

The firm's customs manager Stephan Freismuth has issued the clearest warning yet that Brexit could put an end to its UK production - if it doesn't get assurances from the Government.

He told the Financial Times that if the supply chain was hit by delays after Britain leaves the EU, the German carmaker's UK plants may have to close.

BMW has issued another statement today saying it is 'committed to' its manufacturing sites in the UK, including Cowley.

See below for full statement

Oxford Mail:

He said: "We always said we can do our best and prepare everything, but if, at the end of the day the supply chain will have a stop at the border, then we cannot produce our products in the UK."

Production of Minis starts in Cowley and is completed at BMW’s Hams Hall plant in Warwickshire.

Around 4,500 workers are employed at MINI Plant in Oxford.

Last year BMW announced its new battery-electric Mini would be produced at Cowley from 2019 - in a major boost for the city and country following the Brexit vote.

Oxford Mail:

But Mr Freismuth's comments throw that into doubt.

He said: "We don’t want to give up our UK plants. We do our best to maintain business continuity."

"If you have a stop for one day, it costs a lot of money, but at the end if there are more stops our management has to decide how this can be sorted.”

Trade union Unite, which represents workers at the Cowley plant, also warned production would be impossible.

A BMW spokesman said this afternoon: “Since 2000, the BMW Group has invested around £2bn into its four production facilities in the UK. Britain is the only country in the world where we manufacture for all three of our automotive brands.

"We remain committed to our manufacturing operations in the UK and continue to operate 'business as usual', as we work through a range of possible Brexit outcomes and their potential impact on our business.

They added: "As previously stated, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiations is not helpful when it comes to making long-term business decisions. In particular, the lack of clarity surrounding future customs arrangements remain a cause for concern.

"The automotive industry is a global one, with parts and finished products needing to move as freely as possible between markets, in order to facilitate “just-in-time” production. Clearly if parts cannot physically get to a factory at the expected time, that factory will not run as smoothly and reliably as is desirable.”