Downing St denies Project Fear return
Downing Street has dismissed concerns from Brexiteers that outlining the Government’s planning for a no-deal withdrawal from the EU amounts to a return to “Project Fear”.
DOWNING STREET has dismissed concerns from Brexiteers that outlining the Government’s planning for a no-deal withdrawal from the EU amounts to a return to the referendum campaign’s “Project Fear”.
Theresa May’s official spokesman insisted the Government was engaged in “good planning” and taking “sensible precautions” in case there is a no-deal Brexit.
And he played down reports that the military had been put on stand-by to deal with a no-deal scenario, saying there are “no plans to involve the Army in this”.
Brexiteers have been concerned that the Government was gearing up for a summer of dire warnings about the consequences of a no-deal Brexit in order to win support for the Prime Minister’s much-maligned Chequers plan for leaving the EU.
Ministers have confirmed efforts to stockpile medicines and ensure an “adequate” food supply if there is a no-deal Brexit.
Dozens of technical notices setting out what businesses and concerned citizens need to do are expected to be published in August and September.
Some Leavers have reportedly expressed concerns that Britain was failing to warn the EU of the consequences of no deal.
But the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “We have been absolutely clear that it’s in the interests not just of ourselves but the EU to get a deal.
“In the event of no-deal there will of course be consequences for the European Union.”
The spokesman added that the plans are aimed at ensuring an “orderly” Brexit even if there is no agreement with Brussels.
The Prime Minister is on holiday in the Italian Lakes, leaving her de facto deputy David Lidington as the senior Government figure in the UK.
Downing Street defended Ministers taking holidays despite the tense state of the Brexit talks, saying Mrs May and others “are
always fully engaged with their briefs”.
Meanwhile, a poll suggested four in five doctors fear for the future of the NHS post-Brexit.
The survey of more than 1,000 medics published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community
Health found the majority believe the impact on the NHS of leaving the European Union will be negative and the majority voted Remain.
Elsewhere, a think-tank was accused of offering potential donors access to senior politicians.
Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) director-general Mark Littlewood was filmed by an undercover reporter making a series of claims, including that the organisation helped two US visitors meet four peers and have lunch with five MPs while they were speaking at Eurosceptic event involving 50 Tory MPs.
Mr Littlewood also told the reporter, who posed as a representative of a US hormone beef investor, that a donor could not influence conclusions of IEA reports but suggested “substantial content” covering their areas of interest would be included if they funded it.
He added that a donor would be “guest of honour” at the report’s launch and also attend a private dinner with the author and potentially a Minister, noting that the IEA could not guarantee one would be there but would try to secure someone.
Mr Littlewood defended his actions, telling the BBC that it was part of his job to secure investment for reports, that he has no power over Ministers and access cannot be promised.
The Charity Commission said the allegations were of a “serious nature” and it would assess any evidence given to it as part of its ongoing IEA investigation.