Brexit chaos fears Documents warn of food shortages, price hikes and protests

FOOD and medicine shortages, protests and public disorder would occur in a worstcase scenario planning for a no-deal Brexit, documents released by the UK Government reveal.

Operation Yellowhammer documents were released early yesterday after rebel MPS demanded they be made public.

It comes as Boris Johnson continues to work on talks as the October 31 Brexit deadline looms. And he has vowed to bring back Parliament if a court challenge against his suspension until October 14 is found to be unlawful.

The Operation Yellowhammer document said: “There are likely to be significant electricity (price) increases for consumers”.

“Protests and counter-protests will take place across the UK and may absorb significant amounts of police resource.

“There may also be a rise in public disorder and community tensions.”

Some food shortages would occur, but only on specific ingredients, rather than overall.

However, prices could increase, putting pressure on lower income homes.

A no-deal Brexit would reduce the flow of goods through English Channel ports by up to 40 per cent.

“Unmitigated, this will have an impact on the supply of medicines and medical supplies,” it said.

“The reliance of medicines and medical products’ supply chains on the short straits crossing make them particularly vulnerable to severe extended delays.”

Mr Johnson’s advice to the Queen that led her to allow Parliament to be prorogued has also come into question with a Scottish court finding the suspension to be unlawful.

The Government has appealed the decision, with a hearing set for Tuesday.

British citizens travelling in Europe would also be hit under a no-deal Brexit, according to the document, with rail and air delays expected.