Environment department accused of Brexit ‘panic’ after urgent staff demand

Leaked memo shows managers were given 24 hours to name 75 staff to be redeployed to work on a no-deal scenario

The environment department has been accused of "panic" over Brexit after a leaked document revealed the emergency redeployment of staff to prepare for a no-deal scenario.

Managers at the Environment Agency (EA) were given just 24 hours to name 75 staff to be sent to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). In September, the National Audit Office said Michael Gove's department will not be ready for a no-deal Brexit, with meat and dairy and chemicals exports especially threatened.