“Putting 3,500 military personnel on standby for a no-deal Brexit demonstrates just how incredibly serious this is.

“This is the reality of a no-deal Brexit: soldiers on the streets; medicines being stockpiled in the NHS; and airports and ferry terminals grinding to a halt.

“This is scary tactics, pure and simple.

“With just over 100 days left until we’re due to leave the EU, and Theresa May’s bad deal certain to be rejected by parliament, the threat of a no-deal Brexit and the catastrophe that will bring has become an alarming possibility.

“But there is an alternative: a people’s vote on Brexit would give us the option to keep the best deal we have as part of the EU.”

Ends

Notes to editors – If you use the quote please mention the Best for Britain campaign.

Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, was asked by Tory MP Will Quince if Williamson had received “any approaches from other government departments about using our world-class armed forces personnel in the event of a no-deal Brexit”.

Williamson replied:

We’ve as yet not had any formal requests from any government departments. But what are doing is putting contingency plans in place, and what we will do is have 3,500 service personnel held at readiness, including regulars and reserves, in order to support any government department on any contingencies they may need.