Civil servants are spelling out concerns about the Government’s Brexit strategy in official emails to protect themselves from a potential “Chilcot-style” inquiry into the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, according to reports.

Officials at the Department for Exiting the European Union have reportedly started setting out concerns about the lack of work being done to prepare Britain for a “no deal” scenario with Brussels.

They reportedly fear the prospect of a post-Brexit inquiry similar to that carried out into the Iraq War which could be launched if the UK’s departure hits the rocks.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that Sir Jeremy Heywood, the UK’s top civil servant, is relaxed about a “no deal” outcome because of a belief that the Government will not walk away from talks with nothing.