The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Leaked papers ‘lay bare sheer havoc’ of no-deal
Spectre of rising food and fuel costs, shortages and border disruption
Leaked government documents have warned that the UK faces shortages of food, fuel and medicine in the wake of a no-deal Brexit.
The plans, dubbed operation yellowhammer, showcase what the Westminster government is planning for should the UK leave the EU on October 31 without a deal.
The SNP’s Europe and foreign affairs spokesperson Stephen Gethins said a no-deal Brexit would cause “havoc” to Scotland.
Michael Gove, the minister responsible for overseeing the UK’s exit, said the documents were a “worst-case scenario”.
Revealed in the Sunday Times, the documents show Westminster expects a return of the hard border in Ireland, delays to fuel distribution – which could impact Grangemouth – and traffic jams at ports which could lead to shortages of fresh produce and medicines.
The cost of food and fuel is also expected to rise, according to the government’s plans.
Disruption at ports is expected to last at least three months, while fishing vessels could be involved in clashes with fleets from other countries in disputes over fishing rights.
Gibraltar could face delays of up to four hours at the border with Spain for “at least a few months”.
North East Fife MP Mr Gethins said: “The warnings about crashing out of the EU without a deal have been highlighted time and time again, but these government documents lay bare the sheer havoc Scotland and the UK are hurtling towards.
“The Tory prime minister is in a state of delusion and denial over the impact his extreme Brexit plans will have on essential supplies such as food, medicines and fuel.
“The worrying reality is that these internal government papers are only setting out the best-case scenario.
“It is clear that even in the face of disaster this Tory government simply plans to walk over the cliff-edge, dragging Scotland with it.
Tory former Cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Paterson claimed the leak was an example of the “establishment” plot to “sow fear in people’s minds”.
Mr Gove tweeted: “Yellowhammer is a worst-case scenario.
“Very significant steps have been taken in the last three weeks to accelerate Brexit planning.”