Brexit Minister Of UK, David Frost Resigns With Immediate Effect

56 year old Frost was appointed as Chief Trade Negotiator in 2019 after Boris Johnson took office. He was called Johnson’s EU “sherpa.”

Former Brexit negotiator David Frost | Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Former negotiator on Brexit, David Frost resigned from the government with immediate effect which was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office, reported AFP. As per the report Frost sent his resignation after the reports that he was going to leave his post in January. 

"It is disappointing that this plan has become public this evening and in the circumstances I think it is right for me to write to step down with immediate effect," read his letter which was published by the Downing Street office.

Frost made UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson aware about his concerns regarding the current direction of travel related to coronavirus regulations and tax rises. As per the report, the resignation by Frost was another blow to Boris Johnson after new coronavirus curbs and by-election humiliation. 

Johnson said that he was “very sorry” for Frost’s resignation given everything he had achieved and contributed to this government.

The AFP reported that Frost seemed at odds with the government earlier this week over the issue after a government spokesperson suggested that there could be some softening on it’s position on the EU’s role as arbiter. 

56 year old Frost was appointed as Chief Trade Negotiator in 2019 after Boris Johnson took office. He was called Johnson’s EU “sherpa.” He served as a diplomat with the Foreign Office and was deployed in Brussels in 1990 and as ambassador to Denmark from 2006 to 2008. 

He also spent around three years as Chief Executive of the Scotch Whiskey Association and also of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

The deputy leader of the main opposition Labour Party Angela Rayner said that the resignation suggested that the government was in total chaos. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen warned that Johnson was “running out of time and out of friends to deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative government.”

The report stated that Boris Johsnon was already reeling from a rebellion by 100 of his MPs after a parliamentary vote regarding Covid-19 measures. He recently had to face loss of a 23,000-majority seat in a by-election.