UK government publishes no-deal Brexit scenarios predicting disorder

DISRUPTION

According to the document, the flow of traffic across the English channel could be reduced by as much as 60 percent on the first day. The worst disruption could last for up to three months.

Traffic queues could affect fuel deliveries, disrupting supplies in London and south-east England, and panic buying could cause shortages in other parts of the country, it said.

Cross-border financial services would be affected as would information-sharing between police and security services.

In releasing the document, Gove was acceding to a request from lawmakers. He refused a separate request to make public the advice of government advisers about the suspension of parliament.

A Scottish court ruled on Wednesday that the suspension was unlawful, prompting calls for lawmakers to return to work. A separate court in England has ruled that judges do not have the power to question Johnson's decision. The cases go to the Supreme Court for a final ruling next week.

Leaving the EU with a deal would allow Britain to maintain its existing trading relationship during a transition period while it hammers out a new relationship with the bloc.

Without such a deal, opponents say, the world's fifth largest economy would become subject to an array of trade restrictions with a suddenness that has no precedent.

Supporters say there may be some disruption but it would not be too severe, and Britain would benefit in the longer term. 

Reuters