THE UK Government has been caught editing its Brexit documents to remove the word “unlikely” in regards to a no-deal outcome.
According to Sky news, the notices – known as “technical papers” – were quietly amended following the Cabinet decision to ramp up preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
READ MORE: UK agrees to make no deal planning an 'operational priority'
One paper related to medicines, for example, previously read: "In the unlikely event of no deal, the UK would no longer be part of the European Medicines Agency."
That now says: "In the event of no deal, the UK would no longer be part of the European Medicines Agency."
No Deal no longer “unlikely” - Government
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) December 20, 2018
Government has in past 24 hours quietly edited every No Deal technical notice to take out word “unlikely” from the sentence “in the unlikely event of no deal...”
Now says “in the event of no deal”.
See before and after on medicines👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/KrWHCMGng9
Elsewhere, a document in relation to passport use between the UK and EU has seen the reference to negotiations going well and the Government "working hard to seek a positive deal" removed.
A new addition to this document mentions that a "significant programme of work" has been launched to prepare for a no deal divorce.
A spokesperson for the UK Government confirmed the papers had been “updated” after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, adding: "We fully expect to get a deal and believe that is the most likely outcome – that is what we are focused on delivering."
Chair of the business group Ready for Brexit told Sky News that this was a “momentous change”.
He added: "To try and smuggle out this critical policy shift just before Christmas – without an official statement – is deeply worrying.”
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