John Lewis’ managing director Andy Street has apologised for derogatory remarks he made about France at a dinner last week.

Mr Street, who has been with the retailer for nearly 30 years, is reported to have said: “I have never been to a country more ill at ease . . . nothing works and worse, nobody cares about it.”

Mr Street has issued a personal apology, saying his remarks were supposed to be light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek. "On reflection I clearly went too far. I regret the comments, and apologise unreservedly", he added.

France is currently battling for growth, having been hampered by low growth in recent years and President Francois Hollande recently told the country to expect Eu21billion of spending cuts to come in 2015.