The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ridiculed Sir Keir for failing to put any questions to him about the raft of contingency plans published on Tuesday morning. Holding up the report, Mr Gove said: “This document was made public three hours before the Rt Hon gentleman started asking questions.

But he had, having had time to absorb 156 pages, not a single question about no-deal preparation, not a single point to make about how any sector could be better prepared, not a single suggestion, query or contribution to make about how we can ensure that British business is in a robust position.”