Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, for what reasons the document EU Exit Analysis – Cross Whitehall Briefing was seen by journalists before hon. Members were given access to it.

The Government does not comment on leaks or ongoing leak enquiries. The document to which the question refers represents preliminary analysis and has only very recently been presented to ministers. It does not reflect this Government’s policy, and is not representative of the expected outcome of the negotiations. Ministers have a duty not to publish anything that could risk exposing our negotiation position.

The Government has agreed to make this analysis available to the EU Exit Select Committee and to all members of both Houses through a confidential reading room, once arrangements can be made.