Britain is unlikely to change its sanctions regime against pariah states immediately after Brexit.
The government is today publishing details of a draft bill for when it takes control of the sanctions decisions now made by the European Union.
The government says that this will enable Britain to continue to play a central role in global sanctions to combat terrorism, conflict and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
This could mean more hawkish decisions, reflecting that Britain argued for years in Europe for tougher measures against countries such as Russia, only to be rebuffed by Germany and Italy.
One source said it was unclear whether this would achieve very much as sanctions are best when they are collective, suggesting that there are limits to what the UK can do on its own. The government plans to keep the criteria for sanctions broadly similar.
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Sir Alan Duncan, minister for Europe, said: “The bill will . . . enable us to impose sanctions as appropriate, either alone or with partners in the EU and around the world.”