LABOUR condemned the government yesterday for waving new regulations through the Commons that ministers admit would put post-Brexit border security at risk.

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds described the new Customs Safety and Security Procedures (EU Exit) Regulations as “tantamount to a smuggler’s charter” which could have been avoided if the government had taken action earlier to avoid expected gridlock at ports.

The new rules give HMRC power to waive pre-departure safety and security checks for exports, which could compromise border security and allow smugglers to carry out illegal activity.