UK Government's Nissan Brexit letter is still too sensitive to disclose a year on, says business ministry

The business ministry says it won't release the contents of a letter offering reassurances to the carmaker for the foreseeable future

Nissan announced in October last year that it would build new cars at its north of England facility (Nissan)

A letter sent by the UK Government to Nissan a year ago offering reassurances about Brexit which helped secure a major investment from the Japanese carmaker in its UK plant is still too sensitive to release, the business ministry told Reuters.

Nissan announced in October last year that it would build its next generation Qashqai sports utility vehicle and a new X-Trail model at its north of England facility, in a major Brexit boost to Prime Minister Theresa May.

A source told Reuters that in the letter Britain promised Nissan extra support in the event that its departure from the European Union hit the competitiveness of the plant.

The letter sparked concerns of secretive deals between the Government and companies, with business minister Greg Clark promising last December to release the document once it is no longer sensitive.

In response to a freedom of information request from Reuters asking when the letter would be made public, the business ministry said information within it remained confidential.

“Secretary of State Greg Clark has made it clear that the letter will be released once the particular commercial confidentialities for the company are no longer there, and this remains the position. The commercial confidentialities are ongoing,” an official said.

“We remain in touch with the company about these issues. It is important that we do not release information prematurely that would harm Nissan’s competitiveness position.”

Nissan did not provide an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday. The carmaker said at the time that support and assurances from the authorities enabled it to make the investment decision.

Mr Clark had a phone conversation with Nissan in July “to discuss automotive investment”, according to an official government log of ministerial meetings published last week.

Reuters