The civil service should “play their part” by putting their concerns about no-deal Brexit on the record, Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Siobhan Benita said today.
Ms Benita, a former top civil servant, suggested Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill could formalise their position by issuing a “direction”.
The measure can be used by the most senior civil servant in a department who is accountable for spending.
It puts on the record that a department will carry out a minister’s demands — despite it going against their own advice.
Ms Benita said: “We have got to the point where the Cabinet Secretary should issue a direction on no-deal Brexit.
From what I gather there is no civil service advice which has shown [no deal] is a good thing or a good use of public money. It’s going to cost billions of pounds.”