Jeremy Heywood defends civil service ban on helping Brexit ministers

The country's most senior civil servant caused controversy after releasing guidance that his staff are not to help ministers who want to leave the EU with briefing or speech material.

MPs have criticised the decision as giving the impression to the public that the Government is trying to disadvantage those campaigning to leave.

He said: "We are not providing pro-active material, factual or argumentative to ministers arguing against the Government."

He denied it undermines ministers abilities to be accountable for their department as the information block was 'limited' and solely refers to the in-out referendum campaign.

He said: "Ministers access to official national statistics [carries] on [at] the same basis as now. I'm struggling to understand what the problem is here."

Last night Conservative MPs lined up to attack Mr Heywood's decision, which will leave out campaign ministers such as Michael Gove and Chris Grayling without senior civil service support.

Andrew Percy, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, described the move as a ‘stitch-up’ for those wanting to leave the EU.

Mr Heywood said he was surprised at the comments and level of concern from MPs during the debate.