Next Prime Minister to lose iconic British-made Jaguar and instead be driven around in German Audi

THE new Prime Minister is set to lose their iconic British-made Jaguar — and instead be chauffeured around in a German Audi.

The PM and half a dozen senior ministers have “Grade 7” Metropolitan Police protection.

It includes 24-hour bodyguards and use of a fleet of armoured Jaguar XJs and Range Rovers.

But they have been told cops plan from next year to switch to bulletproof Audi A8s after Jaguar paused production because of a fall in orders during the pandemic.

Insiders say that decision left cops with no alternative.

But ministers are livid about the message sent to British manufacturers.

One Cabinet minister even blamed “anti-Brexit bureaucrats hiding behind a value-for-money smokescreen” for the decision.

Jaguar, which employs 40,000 in its UK factories, has provided the PM’s car for more than three decades.

Last night No10 insisted any changes were a matter for the Metropolitan Police, who declined to comment.

A No10 source said: “The Government Car Service only use British manufactured cars and there are no plans to move away from championing British industry.

“Any decisions on changing vehicles for ministers would be a decision for the Met and factor in any wider security concerns.”

Jags and their Daimler-badged variants have been used by PMs since the early-1980s when Margaret Thatcher switched from the Rover P5, which had been in favour for two decades.