Brexit minister furiously denies No Deal planning ‘has been shelved’ in case Parliament doesn’t agree a deal
James Cleverly said civil servants are still making the 'necessary preparations' for a smooth exit
A BREXIT minister has furiously hit back at reports that No Deal planning has been abandoned.
James Cleverly said civil servants are still making the “necessary preparations” in case Britain does not get a deal approved by warring MPs.
He hit back after Sky News reported that ministers had “stood down” the programme “with immediate effect” after Theresa May agreed to delay Brexit until Halloween.
Mr Cleverly said: “The extension means that we are not leaving tomorrow with no deal, this instruction reflects that.
“Government departments will still make necessary preparations until we actually vote for a deal.”
The Brexit department said they had changed the pace of the no-deal planning.
But their spokesman refused to say what preparations are being undertaken and what have been ditched.
Seething Tory Brexiteers have lashed Remainer MPs for taking away the Government’s trump card by effectively blocking a No Deal.
Remainer Chancellor Philip Hammond admitted the immediate threat of a No Deal is “off the table”.
He defended the £4billion spent on the preparations.
He told Sky News: “It would have been irresponsible not to prepare for no deal so long as it was a real, possible outcome.”
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