Supermarkets were blindsided by the 'shambolic' stockpiling campaign after Wes Streeting rejected claims he was 'scaremongering'

Retailers were told the date of the government's 'Be Ready' launch only last week and expected a 'low key' affair fronted by security minister Dan Jarvis. One senior industry figure said: 'It became a big deal because it's Wes.' Officials had reportedly spoken only to Thames Water about meeting demand. Retailers had to tell them to approach bottled water suppliers instead.

A Question Time audience member warned the advice would spark panic buying and price rises.

Streeting hit back: 'Why haven't we done this before and why are we playing catch up?'

Treasury minister James Murray admitted he had only stockpiled 'quite a lot of coffee'.