A leaked report released on Sunday indicated that the United Kingdom is underprepared for the possibility of shortages if the country crashes out of the European Union (EU) in less than two months minus an elusive deal. The report came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares for a meeting with the bloc this week, but the Gibraltar government rebutted the leak.
The report, dubbed as the British government's classified "Operation Yellowhammer," was obtained by The Sunday Times, and it revealed that the U.K. is faced with shortages in some major commodities including food, medicine, and fuel.
The "Yellowhammer" was reportedly compiled by the Cabinet Office as the U.K. prepares for an increasingly apparent no-deal Brexit. The report predicted that a hard border in Ireland will most likely put a stumbling block for negotiations.
Furthermore, the report indicated that a no-deal Brexit could possibly result in travel problems for some British citizens who will access some ports. The disruptions could last for three months, the report predicted.
A senior insider from the government told the outlet that the purpose of the assessment was not to instill fear among the British masses. Instead, it was to present the people with possible scenarios that could take place if a deal is not reached.
Aside from travel-related delays, "Operation Yellowhammer" reportedly predicted that fresh food deliveries could experience shortages. These shortages could then result in higher prices that could increase the burdens of British consumers.
Medicine supply may also fall short of expectations, the report suggested. Adding to the possible problems is the unprepared atmosphere surrounding U.K. businesses as deals with EU member countries could be hampered.
Amid fears of the possible shortages that could come with a no-deal Brexit, some political experts questioned the report's accuracy. A spokesperson for Downing Street it will not comment on the leak, while the Government of Gibraltar said the "Operation Yellowhammer" report was outdated.
CNN noted that the leaked document's arrival came at a critical time in U.K. history. The British government just repealed the 1972 Brussels Act on Sunday in a move that states that EU laws will no longer will effective within Great Britain.
After the act was repealed, Secretary of State for leaving the bloc, Steve Barclay, said "there is no turning back" for the U.K. and the country will walk out of the EU "whatever the circumstances" on October 31.
Meanwhile, No 10 sources reportedly blamed the leak on a former minister who is allegedly planning to disrupt new PM Johnson's expected meetings with EU chiefs later this week, The Guardian reported.
It remains to be seen how this week's meetings will conclude, or if the leaked "Operation Yellowhammer" is indeed out of date or one of the latest briefings in the British government.
