Leaked UK dossier warns about no-deal Brexit impact for islands

The Sun reported that the UK Cabinet Office dossier set out the potential impact of a worst-case scenario, including airdrops of medicines and food to the Channel Islands.

The British Navy could also be needed to protect the British fishing fleet from illegal EU boat migrations if a second wave of the pandemic and any failure of the UK and EU to agree a new trade deal combine to create a perfect storm this winter.

The island’s most senior politician, Deputy Gavin St Pier, said the slow progress in UK-EU negotiations was ‘no great surprise but we are going to need to be firm in representing the Bailiwick’s interests’.

‘We are going to need to be ready to respond speedily as time continues to tick down. We cannot be complacent but I am confident any risks can be effectively managed and mitigated as we continue to plan for all possible outcomes and eventualities following the UK’s exit from the EU on the 31 January 2020 and the end of the Transition Period on 31 December 2020. This builds on our “no deal” contingency planning undertaken in preparation for the UK’s exit last year and is informed by our experience in managing the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘The future partnership negotiations between the UK and EU are ongoing, and the States have been working very closely with the UK’s negotiating team to ensure our interests are taken into account, in particular over the last few months. We are also in close dialogue with the UK to ensure we are prepared for any scenario. This includes worst-case scenarios which are very unlikely, but nonetheless it is right and prudent that we consider and plan for them.’