DITCH GREEN ISSUES,FOCUS ON TRADE
May’s Brexit plan leaked
THERESA May is fuming after secret documents of her Brexit battleplan were leaked.
Government notes for diplomats urged them to ditch green issues and put new business deals top of the agenda.
But they were snapped after being left on show by a diplomat on a train.
The plan highlights fears over the “economic and political” risks of Brexit. They also urge officials to forget climate change and illegal poaching and focus on trade deals.
Diplomats were told: “Trade and growth are now priorities for all (diplomatic) posts.”
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron raged: “The rhino and the rainforest will pay the price for Theresa May’s hard Brexit.
“This springs entirely from her free choice to leave the world’s most lucrative market, which independent experts predict over the next 15 years will cost Britain up to £200billion.
“Because she is desperate to fill this black hole of her own making, she is prepared to cut deals with any far-flung leader around the world however dodgy.”
He added: “Our wildlife and areas of wilderness will pay the price for the Government’s economically illiterate decision to leave the single market.”
A blundering official from Liam Fox’s Department for International Trade was pictured on a train with the plans ahead of a private briefing session.
A spokesman for Dr Fox denied there had been a security breach.
He said: “These are unclassified documents which had been prepared for a Foreign Office event.”
A Foreign Office spokesman added: “The UK is a global leader in tackling the illegal wildlife trade and a key part of worldwide efforts on climate change.
“Our commitment to both issues is as strong as ever.”