The FT quotes a "Ministry of Defence insider" telling BAE Systems to "stop whingeing" after reports that the aerospace manufacturer was angered by reports that it would only get part of a £2.9 billion MoD aircraft carrier contract.

The defence official said that "getting in on the action of the carriers contract is a pretty lucrative incentive for anyone involved, despite any whingeing we might have had in recent days".

The contract, to be officially announced this week, will be split between BAE and French bidder Thales.