Anger in Whitehall as Brexit strife delays key policies and legislation

Ministers and officials said to be exasperated as no-deal preparations result in paralysis. Brexit is delaying key pieces of policy and legislation, angering ministers and officials, amid reports of paralysis across Whitehall as the government focuses on solving the current crisis, the Guardian has learned. Legislation meant to limit the prosecution of soldiers, create an online regulator and curb drug dispensing errors have been held up or postponed as the government tries to gain enough support for a deal to leave the EU. It comes as Whitehall departments divert senior staff to work on Brexit-related matters in case the UK leaves the EU without a deal.