British-controlled tax havens have demanded to be given a central role in the Brexit negotiation process.

Dr D. Orlando Smith, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, said overseas territories should “have our voice heard” as the UK leaves the EU.

He said the controversial territories required “high level engagement” in the process of the same sort as Scotland and the other devolved nations.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI), which styles itself as an offshore financial centre, has no capital gains tax, corporation tax, inheritance tax, or VAT. It is included on most lists of international tax havens.

The BVI continued to license Mossack Fonseca, the law firm at the centre of the so-called Panama Papers, despite being unable to identify who owned companies on its books.

More than 100,000 companies were incorporated by the law firm in the BVI.

Dr Smith is also the president UK Overseas Territories Association Political Council, which represents the interests of other overseas territories, many of which are also considered tax havens.

Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands are also British overseas territories and have been labelled tax havens in the past.

“As the United Kingdom looks towards new horizons and realigns its relationships globally, it should see the positive role that Overseas Territories can play,” Dr Smith said.

“We are also absolutely clear that we want to have our voice heard when it comes to ensuring there are no unintended consequences for the Overseas Territories as the UK negotiates its exit from the European Union.

“We require high-level engagement – just like the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – and we want deal which works for the whole UK family.”

10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Show all 10 1 /10 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Luxembourg There are an estimated £2.5 trillion shares of mutual funds registered in the Grand Duchy, £1 trillion of which cannot be traced to an owner 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands contain 6% of the world's total banking assets, but just 0.000008% of its population 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Isle of Man David Cameron has said the Isle of Man, where there is no corporation, capital gains or inheritance tax, should not be considered a tax haven 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Jersey There are over £3.5 billion assets per square mile on the self-governing Channel Island 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Ireland Ireland made headlines last year when it emerged Apple was registered in the country in order to dodge over £40bn in taxes 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Mauritius The Mauritian government notionally charges corporation tax, but companies can easily make this back through generous tax credits for foreign businesses 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Bermuda Google holds more than £30bn in offshore cash reserves, primarily via Bermuda 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Monaco A popular domicile for super-rich private individuals, Monaco has the most expensive property in the world. £1 million will buy just 225 square feet 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Switzerland Switzerland has such secretive banking laws that it took until the 1990s to secure the release of Nazi cash reserves 10 of the biggest tax havens in the world Bahamas David Cameron's father ran an offshore fund which hired Bahamas residents to complete paperwork, thus dodging British tax bills

The call comes amid concerns that Brexit could cause the City of London to lose its place as Europe’s premier finance centre.

The French government has pushed for the City to lose “passporting” rights in any post-Brexit settlement, meaning it would no longer play a central role in the trading of euros.