Sources from two organisations within the youth justice sector have told CYP Now that the findings of Charlie Taylor's youth justice review had been scheduled for publication on Monday (27 June). However, following the referendum result last Friday, plans were changed.
One of the sources said: "Brexit has thrown everything into disarray."
It has been suggested that publication may not now happen for several months. Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the review will not report until a new Prime Minister is in place.
"Government is in stasis," she wrote on Twitter.
"All the work in progress on hold. Youth justice review now won't be published until we have a new PM."
The youth justice review was ordered by Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who played a prominent part in the referendum for the "leave" campaign. He has since entered the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.
The interim report was published in February. It suggests that service provision could in the future be delivered outside of the traditional youth offending team structure.
It also suggests that local areas such as London and Greater Manchester, and even the whole of Wales, could be in line for greater control over the delivery of youth justice services.
A spokesperson for the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers said: "The delay in publication of the report and uncertainty about its content are causing people in the sector much consternation.
"Alongside the instability caused by the departure of Lin Hinnigan [from the Youth Justice Board], it doesn't bode well for future growth within the sector.
"What none of us know is how the implications of Brexit will impact on the Taylor report and the future of youth justice in the UK."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said February's interim report indicated that publication of the final report would take place in July.
Referring to claims of a delay he said: "This is speculation. Our position on publication of the final report remains unchanged."
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