Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn announced on Thursday that the “support and assurances” it had received meant it would build the next generation Qashqai and the new X-Trail models in the north of England. 

Downing Street has insisted Nissan was not offered any form of “compensation package”, adding that the government had reassured the car company of its determination to achieve the best possible deal for Britain.

However, opponents, including senior members of the Labour party and remain campaigners, have questioned the deal.

Former business ministers Anna Soubry and Vince Cable, who have both previously negotiated with Nissan, said there must have been guarantees that Britain would remain in the customs union, or an offer of mitigation for any future tariffs.

Last night it emerged that Labour MP Chuka Umunna has written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood requesting the publication of any commitments “written or otherwise” given to the firm.

He wrote that the Government’s rumoured promises: “Pose huge questions, most importantly what financial support was offered; whether any limit was placed on the public finance available; and whether the same assurances would be extended to other automotive-manufacturers and other sectors, including service sectors.

“I am of, course, supportive of the Government’s aim to protect our manufacturing base, but it seems extraordinary that the Government would reveal elements of its negotiating strategy to multinational companies when it is at the same time doing its best to keep Parliament and the public in the dark.”

No 10 hailed the move as a “vote of confidence” in the UK, securing 7,000 jobs at the plant and a further 20,000 in the wider economy.

Brexit MPs accused Labour and remainers of using the Nissan deal for political gain, rather than celebrating the creation of thousands of jobs.

John Whittingdale, who is on of the newly appointed Exiting the EU Select Committee, said: “That Nissan has decided to stay is a sign of the strength of Britain.

“I would hope rather than seeking to undermine or criticise the deal that Labour would support something that will bring jobs and prosperity to the UK and the people of Sunderland.”