Blunt-speaking Sugar was recruited by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in June to take on a business advisory role, specialising in small and medium-sized companies.

But he provoked controversy last week by dismissing businessmen who complain they cannot get loans to keep their companies afloat as “moaners” he would not lend money to.

“Too much negative stuff is really unhelpful,” Sugar told the Sunday Times newspaper, admitting that following the row he had second thoughts about his appointment as “enterprise czar”.

Despite his doubts over continuing with the government job, he said he was still the best man for the role.

“The small to medium-sized businesses need people like me,” he said. “I am the man.”