The man who led the review of airport capacity has pushed the case for Heathrow’s expansion on the eve of the government’s long-awaited decision.

The government will back one of three schemes on Tuesday when it chooses whether to recommend new runways at Heathrow or Gatwick or extending an existing runway at Heathrow.

Sir Howard Davies, chairman of the Airports Commission, which came out in favour of a third runway at Heathrow, said Brexit had only strengthened the west London airport’s case.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: "The arguments for making a decision now, and for Heathrow, have strengthened in recent months.

"Overseas, the lack of a decision is seen as a symbol of Britain's inability to decide on its future as a trading nation. That may well be to overstate the case, but it is the way overseas businesses and governments view it.

"And the need for a clear strategic direction is more important since the referendum result. The rhetoric about becoming a European Singapore with a 'blue water' trading focus seems empty if we cannot connect to the new markets we wish to serve."

Sir Howard said Gatwick was largely a European short-haul airport while Heathrow had inbound passengers from around the world and "hugely more air freight, some 150 times as much as Gatwick".

Allowing new runways at both airports would be a mistake and "could mean neither is built" because of the risk of a legal challenge.

Sir Howard blamed former prime minister David Cameron - who had given a "no ifs, no buts" guarantee that there would not be a third runway at Heathrow - for the delay in the decision since he presented his report, claiming he was an "immovable object".

Ahead of the meeting of the airports Cabinet sub-committee which will make the decision this week, transport secretary Chris Grayling insisted all three options for expansion were still in play.

He said: “Genuinely it's going to be a decision on Tuesday and it's a difficult one, because all three of these are well-crafted proposals and any one of them could bring benefits to the UK.”

Mr Grayling has acknowledged any of the three options would be controversial but would "open up new opportunities for Britain" as it adjusted to Brexit.

Some government ministers are fiercely opposed to Heathrow expansion, including foreign secretary Boris Johnson and education secretary Justine Greening who is also the MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields.

Councils have also urged against Heathrow expansion, with Richmond, Merton, Kingston and Croydon making the case for expanding Gatwick instead.

Supporters of Heathrow have argued a single hub airport is vital for connecting the UK to the world.