Mubasher: France was preparing a variety of measures, mostly including those governing customs controls and checks at ports, should the UK leave the European Union (EU) without a deal.

“We are making preparations for the hypothetical scenario of no agreement [for which] we will be preparing customs controls, veterinary measures to put in place and also measures for checks at ports,” French transport minister Elisabeth Bornetold CNews television on Friday.

Last October, Minister of Public Action and Accounts Gerald Darmanin, who is in charge customs, said France would hire more 700 customs officers and additional border control facilities in the event negotiations between the UK and the EU result in the so-called ‘hard’ Brexit.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday pledged to fight for her draft divorce deal with the EU, after Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab  and other ministers resigned, putting her plan and position at risk.