GREEN MEP for the south west, Molly Scott Cato, has said her worst fears over Brexit are being realised following revelations that the Government is planning to scale down its concern over climate change and the trade in illegal wildlife after leaving the EU.

Civil service documents photographed on a train suggest that watering down environmental regulations will be necessary to secure new post-Brexit trade deals.

Dr Scott Cato said: “During the referendum campaign Greens warned that the Government would seek to water down environmental regulations and targets.

“Our worst fears are being realised. The south west has cleaner beaches, better water quality and protected habitats and wildlife, thanks to EU legislation.

“Tackling climate change goes hand-in-hand with a transition to renewable energy, so weakening action on tackling our climate crisis will also undermine the huge potential the south west region has for growth and jobs in the renewables sector.

“This is a government willing to sacrifice our environment on the altar of dodgy trade deals.

“The Government has no mandate for this and it is becoming clearer by the day that people must be given a say on the kind of post-Brexit Britain the Government is seeking to create.

“This is why Greens back a ratification referendum at the end of the two-year Article 50 process.”