MICHAEL Russell has hit out at a UK “Vote Leave cabal” that is leading the country towards a No-Deal Brexit “disaster”.

A leaked emergency planning document issued fresh warnings to the UK Government on food and fuel shortages this winter in the event of a No-Deal Brexit and a second wave of Covid-19.

The document, leaked to the Sun yesterday, also raises fears over medical supplies and the possibility of the Navy having to intervene in clashes between British and European fishing vessels. The warnings from the Cabinet Office’s EU Transition Task Force pile pressure on ministers to do a deal with the EU as well as step up preparations for an increase in coronavirus cases across the UK.

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Referring to the Sun’s coverage, journalist Carole Cadwalladr took to Twitter to say: “Terrifying scoop by @MrHarryCole. Reasonable worst-case scenarios for this winter include 1/20 town halls go bust, social care in chaos, power cuts, water rationing.”

In response, Russell pointed out: “All avoidable. Original Brexit debated at 2016 referendum envisaged continued SM [single market] and CU [customs union] membership.

“Hard disastrous ideological ‘low deal or No Deal’ now being driven by ‘Vote Leave’ cabal. EU offered to extend transition partly because of Covid. Johnson refused.”

The document comes as the latest round of EU trade talks ended last week with warnings the negotiations are “going backwards” and the chances of No Deal in December is rising.

It says that the economic impact of the virus and Brexit could cause public disorder, shortages and price hikes, and adds that 1500 troops are on standby across the UK to help police forces in the worst-case scenario.

Under a No Deal situation, the Cabinet Office planners believe France will force “mandatory controls on UK goods from day one” and between 40% and 70% of hauliers travelling across the Channel may not be ready for this. The document warns such an interruption to the supply chain could lead to shortages of the 30% of UK food imported from the EU, as well as medicines, chemicals for drinking water purification and fuel supply.

At the same time, there are also increasing fears in Whitehall that Covid-19 will return with a vengeance in the winter months. The planners warned that “pandemic influenza, severe flooding, a Covid second wave and an unruly exit from the EU transition period could cause a systemic economic crisis with major impact on disposable incomes, unemployment, business activity, international trade and market stability”.

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It could be combined with likely “coordinated industrial action” as well as shortages risking public disorder and a mental health crisis that will hit the poorest hardest. Rising virus infections and hospital admissions would require a possible return to two-metre social distancing rules and further lockdown restrictions “well into 2021”.

Three-quarters of UK medicine imports come through Dover, and many have a limited shelf life – making stockpiling difficult.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told the paper: “We got Brexit done with a great deal in January.

“And 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.”

A Government spokesman added: “As a responsible government we continue to make extensive preparations for a wide range of scenarios, including the reasonable worst case.

“This is 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.”

Nicola Sturgeon urged the UK Government in June to request an extension to the EU talks, arguing a No-Deal Brexit would make it harder to deal with the pandemic.

She said: “If you take the Scottish Government, we are, as I think absolutely everybody would expect, focused on dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

“But if there is no extension request we are going to have divert resources from that to thinking about and starting to prepare for the consequences again of a No Deal Brexit. I would just appeal to common sense.

“Does anybody seriously think right now that that is a sensible thing to be doing? I don’t and I hope the UK Government comes to its senses.”