The Government’s Chief Secretary, Darren Grech, has written to all public servants to update them on matters relating to Brexit.

With Gibraltar’s departure from the EU only six months away, Mr Grech’s memo explains that negotiations between the UK and Gibraltar and EU institutions and partners are progressing well, and that a scenario in which the UK and Gibraltar leave the EU without an agreement still remains unlikely as both parties have mutual interests in securing a negotiated outcome.

Mr Grech goes on to stress that it is the Government’s duty "as a responsible Government to cover all eventualities and have contingency and mitigating plans, including for a ‘no deal scenario’, until we are satisfied of the certain outcome of the negotiations."

The memo also makes clear that "the nearer to March 2019 we get, the more accelerated preparations the Government would need to make. This does not, in any way, point to a greater likelihood of a ‘no deal’ scenario. All this work is to ensure that the contingencies are in place in the unlikely event that they should need to be relied upon."

Finally, Mr Grech thanks everyone involved in Brexit work for the efforts they are making "as our departure from the EU will be the biggest issue we as public servants will encounter during our careers. We should all take pride in the work that we are doing and its cross generational effect on our community."