Jeremy Hunt pictured holding memo with 'hard Brexit' message

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt flashed the notes on the way out of a Cabinet meeting
AFP/Getty Images
Hatty Collier4 July 2017
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Jeremy Hunt has been photographed flashing a memo containing the words: “Hard Brexit means people fleeing the UK.”

The Health Secretary exposed the documents to waiting media as he walked along Downing Street after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.

His papers appeared to be briefing notes for his appearance before MPs in the House of Commons later.

The documents began with a question tabled in advanced from Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael, which read: “What recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on ensuring the NHS has the workforce it needs after the UK leaves the EU?”

One line reads: "Hard Brexit means people fleeing the UK"
AFP/Getty Images

Beneath that is what appears to be a prepared answer, which said: “The 150,000 EU nationals working in our health and care services do a brilliant job and we want them to continue doing it.

“I am in regular touch with Cabinet colleagues to inform both domestic workforce plans and the government negotiations with the EU.”

The next line read: “Hard Brexit means people fleeing the UK.”

It was not immediately clear whether that line referred to a potential criticism that might by levelled at him by MPs during Health Questions in the Commons.

Mr Hunt later said on Twitter: "For avoidance of doubt I have never been advised or believed Brexit means people `fleeing UK'. I was anticipating a question along those lines from MPs at health orals - which is why the phrase appears in my briefing note."

The Health Secretary is not the first senior figure to expose documents to waiting media in Downing Street.

Last November, an aide to Conservative MP Mark Field was photographed carrying handwritten notes that referred to a “have cake and eat it” Brexit.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in