A group of Church of England bishops have expressed concerns about a no-deal Brexit and vowed to "respond to the call by Jesus to tell the truth and defend the poor".

In an open letter, the 25 clergymen warned that Britain leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement would be "unlikely" to lead to "reconciliation or peace in a fractured country".

"We also have particular concerns about the potential cost of a no-deal Brexit to those least resilient to economic shocks," they wrote.

The bishops added: "'Getting Brexit done' will not happen on exit day, and we have to be transparent about the years of work ahead of us in bringing the country together for a better future.

"We also need to be frank about the potential costs.


"Our main social and political priority must be to leave well, paying particular attention to the impact of political decisions on those most vulnerable."

Their intervention comes after the Archbishop of Canterbury was approached to chair public meetings on Brexit, and following Boris Johnson's announcement of plans to suspend parliament.

Justin Welby described himself as "honoured" to be invited to chair the planned "citizens' forum" but warned it should not be used as a "Trojan horse" to delay or stop Brexit.

In their letter, the bishops supported his decision to conditionally accept the proposal to allow "all voices in the current Brexit debate heard".

The group also said they were "deeply concerned" about a number of issues, having seen "evidence of division in every part of England".

These include "political polarisation and language that appears to sanction hate crime"; as well as "the ease with which lies can be told and misrepresentation encouraged".

"Leaders must be honest about the costs of political choices, especially for those most vulnerable," the bishops wrote.

They also warned the Irish border is "not a mere political totem and peace in Ireland is not a ball to be kicked by the English", and that "sovereignty of parliament is not just an empty term".

The bishops added: "Churches serve communities of every shape, size and complexion.

"We continue to serve, regardless of political persuasion.

"We invite politicians to pay attention with us to the concerns we register above and encourage a recovery of civil debate and reconciliation."

The Church of Scotland also said it was "deeply concerned" by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's five-week suspension of parliament ahead of Brexit.

Rev Dr Richard Frazer, convener of the Church and Society of the Church of Scotland, said: "We are deeply concerned to learn of proposals to suspend the Westminster parliament for several weeks during a crucial period before the UK's planned departure from the EU.

"Given the current context, this is not an act of good faith and undermines, rather than upholds, parliamentary democracy.

"The Church of Scotland has repeatedly stated that Brexit is, and remains, a divisive issue and that leaving the EU without a deal would have a damaging, long-term impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people in our communities.

"The UK government should work towards reaching consensus in all parts of the UK about our future relationship with the EU and use whatever mechanisms are necessary to create the time for this to happen.

"This latest, and seemingly cynical move, seems a step in the very opposite direction which increases the risk of the UK crashing out of the EU in a way that will cause real harm to our communities and our shared wellbeing."