The SNP has accused the UK government of risking progress in the fight against coronavirus, as the Sunday Times revealed some civil servants have been redeployed from work on coronavirus to draw up preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
Dr Philippa Whitford MP (pictured) called the move a “staggering misjudgement of priorities” and reiterated the need for a Brexit extension – something that SNP MPs have been calling for since the start of the crisis.
Commenting, SNP Europe spokesperson Dr Philippa Whitford MP said:
“This is a staggering misjudgement of priorities from a UK government who still seem to underestimate the full scale of the coronavirus crisis.
“It is deeply concerning that this Brexit-obsessed Tory government is willing to put progress on tackling this virus at risk for their narrow political ideology.
“We are still in the midst of this pandemic and this week UK government’s plans to exit lockdown have been mired in confusion.
“That should be their overriding priority – and the idea that civil servants are being diverted from work on tackling the Coronavirus to work up No-deal plans beggars’ belief.
“It’s time for the government to put saving lives ahead of their Brexit obsession – we desperately need a Brexit extension to allow full focus on this crisis.”
