MICHAEL GOVE’S plans to set up an environmental watchdog after Britain leaves the European Union were greeted with scepticism by Labour and campaigners yesterday.

The Environment  Secretary claims that this measure would prevent Brexit from undermining hard-won environmental gains and that a statutory body would “hold the powerful to account” and deliver a “green” Brexit.

But his Labour shadow Sue Hayman said the government should also support her party’s environmental amendments to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill next week.
 
Ms Hayman said: “We will have to wait to see whether the proposed watchdog will have the independence, powers and funding it needs to properly enforce environmental law after Brexit.