Theresa May has been accused of taking a "kamikaze" approach to leaving the European Union without a deal by deliberately highlighting the negative consequences for the UK.

Brexiteers had hoped that the publication next month of dozens of documents setting out Britain's "no-deal" planning would show the impact it would have on the EU as well, giving the Prime Minister more leverage in her negotiations.

Instead, those who have seen some of the 70 technical reports say they only detail the negative effects for the UK and the Government's plans for mitigating them.

Mrs May was accused of trying to "panic" MPs, the public and businesses in a deliberate bid to push them into accepting a soft Brexit.

Downing Street had planned to "drip feed" the technical papers about a no-deal Brexit throughout the summer but is now planning to release them over several days in late August.