The prime minister faces threats of mass resignations, disastrous worst-case scenarios and demands for further votes.
Pressure on Theresa May to rule out a “no-deal” Brexit is stacking up after MPs derided her plan B.
Sky News has learned that cross-Channel freight trade could collapse by between 75% and 87% for six months in the event of no deal.
The estimate, by the UK Border Force, is part of an assumption for no-deal contingency plans and is based on predictions of tough customs checks by the French.
The disclosure, in a document leaked to Sky News, comes as:
:: The pro-Remain cabinet minister Amber Rudd is said to have warned Number 10 that dozens of ministers could resign if Tory MPs are banned from voting to stop a no-deal Brexit;
:: Labour has tabled a Commons amendment to the government’s EU withdrawal deal, which it claims prevents the chaos of no deal and includes the option of a second referendum;
:: Labour’s Hilary Benn has also tabled an amendment for next week’s Brexit debate, calling for a series of votes on a way forward;
:: A hard-hitting Whitehall report claims uncertainty over Brexit has caused serious disruption in government and torn British politics apart.
The Border Force document, marked sensitive, reads: “The reasonable worst case flow through the Short Straits is reduced to between 13% and 25% of current capacity for a period of between 3-6 months.”
“The French will apply at least the legal minimum of third country customs controls on all goods and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on specified food and agricultural products. This includes the imposition of 100% customs documents checks.
“Even after an initial shock, Border Force assumes that a “new normal” for cross-Channel freight will be 50-100% of current flows lasting ‘until significant changes are made to improve border arrangements such as automation’.”
The document concludes: “A significant proportion of traders will not be ready for D1ND (day one, no deal)”.
Responding to the leak, Labour David Lammy MP said: “As this shows, no deal will be catastrophic for British trade. A worst case 87% fall in channel freight traffic means job losses, shortages of vital supplies and potential recession.
“It’s time for parliament to rule out no deal, and begin an honest discussion about the remaining options for Brexit, in comparison to remaining in the EU.”
Source: Skynews
