Airbus COO Tom Williams says the firm is 'going around in circles while the rest of the world is becoming more competitive' - after warning the company could pull out of the UK in the event of a "no-deal" Brexit.

The firm, which employs 14,000 people at 25 sites across the country, said it would "reconsider its investments in the UK, and its long-term footprint in the country" if Britain crashed out of the single market and customs union without a transition agreement.

Mr Williams, chief operating officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft and a key member of the Airbus Brexit Task Force, has said: “We are going around in circles while the rest of the world is becoming more competitive and more productive.

"We feel we have to speak out now to protect the interests of our UK workforce and our UK suppliers.”

Councillor Derek Butler: “Being a Broughton councillor and the cabinet member for economic development it is devastating news for my community and Flintshire.

"We are about to launch a growth scheme and this will be a big blow. It highlights the stupidity of Brexit.

"I would rather be positive about this, this is a warning shot. The Airbus factory in Broughton contributes massively to gross domestic product to the nation so let’s hope someone listens.

"I hope Airbus doesn’t leave but it does highlight the threat of Brexit."

Colin Brew, Chief Executive Officer at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’ve been calling on the Government for some time now to give more transparency around what the Brexit deal will look like and today’s announcement by Airbus highlights the impact that this uncertainty is having on businesses.

 “Any added red tape or barriers to trade could have a huge impact on businesses in the region and the government needs to reassure firms that this won’t happen.”

Hannah Blythyn, AM for Delyn, said: "These comments by Airbus should act as a wake up call and the UK Government needs to act now in the interests of people’s livelihoods.

"An anchor company, Airbus is a key employer with a highly skilled workforce that contributes significantly to the economy directly and through the wider supply chain.

"The Welsh Government has warned time and again that the UK cutting itself off from the single market and customs union would ultimately put jobs under threat.

"Westminster now needs to provide the clarity and assurances to Airbus to prevent significant job losses and the potential impacts of that on our wider economy.

"I have worked closely with unions at Airbus and will continue to do so during this time."

David Hanson, MP for Delyn, said: "I am very concerned about the announcement from Airbus. I have 1,500 people in my constituency of Delyn who work at Airbus, and it's a key part of our local economy.

"The issue is not about whether we leave the European Union, it's about the government agreement and at the moment, there is no agreement on the customs union or the single market.

"I am concerned about job levels in the EU and the UK air regulations, and non of these matters have been sorted. We need to ensure the issues that are here are resolved."

Mr Hanson added that Airbus' warning was issued after "months of meetings" and that himself, alongside other local MP's, have been reflecting on these issues in parliament.

He said: "The government have not resolved the issues about a major supplier leaving the area."