Downing Street attacks Deloitte after 'no Brexit plan' government memo leaked

'It hasn’t been distributed widely across Government so it does seem like a firm touting for business now aided by the media'

Theresa May delivers the Mansion House speech at the Guildhall in London last night (PA)

Downing Street has launched an unprecedented attack on accountancy firm Deloitte for “touting for business” after a memo detailing the difficulties in Government over Brexit was leaked.

The memo, which claims no common strategy has emerged from the Government for Britain’s exit from the EU, warns that more than 500 Brexit-related projects were “beyond the capacity and capability” of Government.

It also claimed that Cabinet splits were delaying the ability of Downing Street to agree a negotiating strategy, which may not be ready for six months – way beyond Theresa May’s deadline of March 2017 for triggering Article 50, the untested protocol for a member state leaving the EU.

In a briefing to journalists the Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said the memo, obtained by the Times, was an “unsolicited document that has nothing to do with the Government at all”

She added: “It was not commissioned by the Government, it was produced by an individual from an external accountancy firm, who was not working for Government. I think struggle to understand why such an unsolicited memo that has no credence can make front page news or indeed lead broadcast bulletins in the morning. There is no basis for it.”

The spokeswoman also claimed Theresa May did not recognise any of the concerns raised in the memo or was even aware of its existence, adding: “This individual has never been in Number 10 or engaged with officials in Number 10 since the Prime Minster took office.”

“It’s not been commissioned. It’s nothing to do with us. It hasn’t been distributed widely across Government so it does seem like a firm touting for business now aided by the media.

On Ms May’s schedule for triggering Article 50 by the end of March 2017, the spokeswoman added: “I struggle to understand why one individual who has never met the PM or any members of her team can then decide that the timetable is of course different, what is the basis for that?”

"We don’t recognise any of the claims in the unsolicited prepared for an accountancy firm seeking to do business with government that’s been published or leaked today."

The Deloitte memo, dated November 7 and entitled Brexit Update, warns that while each Whitehall department has developed Brexit plans, these fall "considerably short" of a "Government plan for Brexit" because of the lack of prioritisation and an overall negotiation strategy.

It criticises Mrs May for "drawing in decisions and details to settle matters herself", and warns that big companies will "point a gun at the Government's head" after Nissan was given assurances about trading conditions once Britain leaves the EU.

"Whilst politicians squabble about hard and soft Brexit, there is a deafening silence from ministers over whether any additional resources will be provided to deliver this momentous task," said FDA chairman Dave Penman.

"Brexit on the cheap appears to be the Government's preferred approach, but this will satisfy no-one. Next week's Autumn Statement is the Government's opportunity to outline how it will provide the resources the civil service needs to ensure a successful Brexit."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the memo had exposed a "shambles" at the heart of government, while SNP Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins said it offered a "staggering insight into the utter confusion and chaos" within the upper ranks of the Conservative Party.