There have been a number of signs already this year that the government, after months of dragging its feet, may now be struggling with its preparations to get Britain ready for a potential no-deal Brexit in March.
Last week, the hapless transport secretary Chris Grayling came under fire for giving a contract to provide extra ferries between Ramsgate and Ostend in the case of no deal to ‘Seaborne Freight’ – a company which has no ships, no record of chartering them, and no trading history.
Facing widespread criticism, the transport minister has since gone on air to defend the company, insisting that his department had done the necessary due diligence before giving Seaborne the contract, and arguing that ‘It’s a new start-up business, government is supporting new British business and there is nothing wrong with that’.
But Mr Steerpike has to wonder how much scrutiny the transport department has actually applied to a company which may be needed to provide vital freight services to keep Britain’s ports running in March.
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