David Davis caught on microphone joking it’s ‘time to fall over’ as he leaves the stage after conference speech jibing Boris Johnson

DAVID Davis was caught on a microphone joking it was “time to fall over” as he left the stage following his party conference speech this afternoon.

The bizarre moment might have been in reference to his Cabinet colleague Damian Green, who was filmed slipping as he left the arena after his address on Sunday.

The Brexit Secretary had earlier used his speech to activists to make a swipe at Boris Johnson’s recent gaffe.

In a section extolling the virtues of Britain he said: “We train the best diplomats and put them to the test by sending them to work for the Foreign Secretary.”

It comes after Mr Johnson’s incendiary interventions on Brexit have threatened to overshadow the party’s annual gathering in Manchester this week.

It has led to attacks by the EU, who have called on Theresa May to sack him for issuing his own “red lines” for the talks.

The European Parliament's co-ordinator said the divisions in the Cabinet are hampering progress in the Brexit negotiations.

Addressing the parliament in Strasbourg, Guy Verhofstadt said they would struggle to move to the next phase of negotiations - including a free trade deal - while ministers in London were fighting among themselves.

He said: ”There is a lack of clarity, there is even disunity. There are oppositions between Hammond and Fox. There are divisions between Johnson and May,.

"It is difficult to make sufficient progress. It is difficult to make the steps towards the second phase of the negotiations."

Manfred Weber, the leader of the centre-right EPP grouping in the European Parliament and seen as a close ally of German chancellor Angela Merkel, went further, calling on the PM to sack Mr Johnson.

The calls came as MEPs backed a motion declaring the negotiations had not made sufficient progress to begin trade talks by 557 votes to 92 in a blow to Mrs May.