Brexit: Leaked government memo warns of 'major challenges' in implementing Boris Johnson's deal

Implementing Boris Johnson's Brexit deal by the end of next year will be "major" challenge, a leaked Whitehall memo has warned.

The document, drawn up by the Department for Exiting the European Union, raises questions about the prime minister's promise that the UK will be able to fully leave the EU at the end of 2020.

It warns that introducing new infrastructure in Northern Ireland within 12 months will be difficult and says there would be a "legal and political impact" of failing to do so.

The document, marked "Official Sensitive" but seen by the Financial Times, was sent to senior Whitehall officials last week.

It said: “Delivery of the required infrastructure, associated systems, and staffing to implement the requirements of the protocol by December 2020 represents a major strategic, political and operational challenge.”

It admits that there would be a “legal and political (domestic and EU) impact of not being able to deliver the protocol in December 2020”.

The memo also warns that “delivery on the ground would need to commence before we know the outcome of negotiations” on the free trade deal with the EU that Mr Johnson has insisted he will be able to agree next year.

The prime minister has repeatedly insisted that his deal will allow the UK to fully leave the EU by the end of 2020.

He has also claimed that it will not lead to checks on goods travelling between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, despite leaked government documents and the Brexit secretary, Steve Barclay, having said otherwise.

On Monday, Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said HM Revenue & Customs experts had confirmed to her that there would need to be checks on goods.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today: “You can’t leave part of the UK in a worse off position and have checks between different parts of the UK.”

Asked about the leaked document, Rishi Sunak, the chief secretary to the Treasury, insisted that the deal could be implemented within a year.

He told Today: "People said it would be impossible for the prime minister to get a new deal - many people came on your show and said exactly that. He's shown his ability to actually negotiate well and get things done for this country.

"Coming from a business background myself, having a deadline concentrates minds and we've agreed this timeframe with the European Union and we do think it's deliverable."

He added: "Having sat on a committee, chaired by Michael Gove, to plan for our departure from the European Union, I've actually been incredibly impressed by all the preparations that have gone on that mean that we are in very good shape not just to deal with new trading relationships but all the other things."

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