'Doomsday' report warns islands may need military help post-Brexit

Monday 24 August 2020

A leaked report from the UK Government has set out what a 'doomsday' scenario for the Channel Islands might look like, if a no-deal Brexit clashes with a second wave of covid later this year.

According to The Sun, the official 'worst case scenario' document, which was penned in July 2020, said the military might need to fly in food and medicine to the Channel Islands to avoid a shortage.

With a final trade deal looking increasingly unlikely by the end of December, the report suggests difficulties could start from 1 January, with France putting "mandatory controls on goods from day one".

This, the report predicted, could cause disruption for up to 70% of hauliers travelling across the Channel. The knock-on effect of this could be a shortage of 30% of EU-imported food, medicines, fuel and chemicals for purifying drinking water across the UK and Channel Islands.

Cabinet Office drawn up horror show warning on what the country could face this winter. And it’s been leaked to @thesun. As Brexit talks slip into acrimony, and covid second wave fears rise.. here is what is on the warning dashboard: https://t.co/fpiRE44VsZ pic.twitter.com/1cQfRijFJ3

— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) August 23, 2020

The document also goes so far as to suggest the Navy might need to be called in to stop British fishermen fighting with hundreds of illegal European fishing boats.

A spokesperson for the UK Government, however, emphasised that the report was "not a forecast or prediction of what will happen, but rather a stretching scenario."

"It reflects a responsible government ensuring we are ready for all eventualities."

Pictured: The report said the military might have to fly in food supplies to the Channel Islands in a "worst case scenario". 

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said: “We are working flat out to make sure the UK is ready for the changes and huge opportunities at the end of the year as we regain our political and economic independence for the first time in almost 50 years. 

"Part of this work includes routine contingency planning for various scenarios that we do not think will happen but we must be ready for, come what may."

The findings in the latest report largely echoed those of a previous leaked UK Government report entitled 'Operation Yellowhammer', which predicted significant supply chain issues for the Crown Dependencies arising from Brexit.