A Labour MP was accused of exaggerating the problems caused by a No Deal Brexit after she suggested today that it could lead to an outbreak of scurvy.

Rupa Huq claimed that food and drink shortages if the UK left the EU without a deal could spark a return of the deadly disease, caused by a lack of vitamin C, which historically afflicted sailors on long sea voyages.

She made the claim in a Commons' debate with a swipe at the ongoing Tory leadership race, in which all the remaining candidates - Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt - have said they will leave without a deal if they have to.

Ealing MP Mrs Huq said: 'In reality only just over half of the food we eat is made in Britain, with over a third coming from the EU.

'Why then when the Food and Drink Federation is predicting after a no-deal Brexit fresh fruit and veg would run out after two weeks, are the remaining contenders in the Tory leadership battle continuing to entertain this damaging prospect?

'Isn't scurvy back on our streets more important than the whims of fundamentalist party members' wishes?'

Rupa Huq asked: 'Isn't scurvy back on our streets more important than the whims of fundamentalist party members' wishes?'

She attacked Tory leadership rivals for contemplating the 'damaging prospect' of a No Deal Brexit

Environment minister David Rutley said the Government was preparing for 'every eventuality'.

'I think she's ruined a perfectly reasonable question by exaggerating,' he said.

'We're preparing for every eventuality.

'A deal is the best outcome. We all have a responsibility to help deliver that. We're preparing for all outcomes.'

Brexiteer Tory Michael Fabricant asked if his constituents needed to 'stock up with tins of Spam or apricots in syrup?'

Brexiteer Tory Michael Fabricant weighed in, joking: 'So will you confirm that my constituents in Lichfield do not need to stock up with tins of Spam or apricots in syrup?'

Scurvy was a major problem for sailors on long voyages in the age of sailing ships.

They were often far from shore for long periods on a diet that did not include fresh fruit and vegetables.

Symptoms include bleeding gums and teeth that fall out easily, bulging eyes and hair loss. It can lead to death in extreme cases.

In the 19th century it was discovered it could be treated with lemon and lime juice and stores were taken on long journeys, leading to Royal Navy sailors - and later Britons in general - being nicknamed 'limeys'.