UK Government Can Declare Martial Law Upon No-Deal Brexit

Britain has the option of using martial law to quell the civil disorder that might ensue under a no-deal Brexit, but that is not the focus of the government's attention, Health Minister Matt Hancock said Sunday.

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The Sunday Times cited unnamed officials as saying the government had been examining the powers at its disposal if a no-deal Brexit resulted in civil disobedience, including martial law, curfews, and the use of the army to quell rioting.

Asked by the BBC's Andrew Marr if the government was considering the possibility of martial law, Hancock said, "Not specifically, no."

Hancock then added, "It remains on the statute book but it isn't the focus of our attention."

Netizens took to Twitter to express their discontent with the news of potential martial law.

Britain is set to leave the European Union on Mar. 29, but the country's lawmakers remain far from agreeing on a divorce deal, leaving open the default possibility of a disorderly Brexit.

Officials have been discussing the practicalities of implementing the Civil Contingencies Act of 2004, which would allow the government to make any appropriate provisions to protect human life, health, safety, and supplies, the Sunday Times said.

"The overriding theme in all the no-deal planning is civil disobedience and the fear that it will lead to death in the event of food and medical shortages," a source told the newspaper.

Hancock said the pharmaceutical industry was doing everything it could to prevent shortages of medicine resulting from any delays at borders resulting from a no-deal Brexit.