Treasury minister Mel Stride derided over 'no food' and 'no Channel Tunnel' Brexit notes

Treasury minister Mel Stride was photographed with his briefing notes after a Brexit meeting
PA Wire/PA Images
Ella Wills14 January 2019
WEST END FINAL

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A Tory minister has been accused of staging a photograph which revealed a briefing note warning of "no food" and "no Channel Tunnel" after a Brexit meeting.

Mel Stride, the financial secretary to the Treasury and paymaster general, was photographed by political photographer Steve Back as he left a meeting in Downing Street on Monday ahead of Tuesday's crunch vote.

The picture was quickly mocked online as many people speculated that the financial secretary had allowed the notes to be captured on purpose.

Journalists and politicians suggested that it was a blatant attempt by Mr Stride to deliberately try to convince ministers to back Mrs May's controversial deal.

The Government has repeatedly warned that a no-deal Brexit would be bad for the UK.

Mr Stride was mocked mercilessly over the gaffe on Monday, which many on Twitter branded a "desperate set up".

It was suspected that the message, written in large handwriting and poking out of a red file, was revealed on purpose.

The Times' Sam Coates tweeted: "In super big handwriting for the cameras?"

Tory Brexiteer MP Michael Fabricant said: "If ever there were a set up photo, this is one!! Desperate stuff."

While Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "This looks just a bit too obvious - the last desperate throw of the dice by a government that has lost the argument on Brexit.

"The sooner tomorrow’s vote is out the way, the better - then we can get on with finding a better way forward."

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