Theresa May’s EU negotiations plunged into ‘chaos’ as Whitehall’s ‘Mr Brexit’ QUITS just before crunch round of talks
Olly Robbins leaves Department for Exiting the European Union after less than a year in the role to take up a job inside No 10
THERESA MAY’s EU negotiations have been plunged into “chaos” as Whitehall's “Mr Brexit” quits just before a crunch round of talks with Brussels.
Olly Robbins has left his role as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Exiting the European Union after less than a year in post, according to the Evening Standard.
It is reporting he is leaving in order to take up a full-time job inside Number 10, where he has already been serving as the Prime Minister’s chief EU adviser.
It has prompted suggestions of a rift between Theresa May and her Brexit Secretary David Davis over how the discussions are going.
And those are unlikely to go away with the news that Mr Robbins will still take part in next week’s fourth round of talks alongside Mr Davis - but working for the PM and not him.
The move of career civil servant Mr Robbins comes after the pair were reported to have repeatedly clashed over the summer.
Those inside the talks in Brussels were claiming there was a “schism”, as the Cabinet minister was angry that he was being left out of key decisions.
Sources had also claimed Mr Robbins has “always worried the Brexiteers as to where he is”.
One said: “There were comments going around that he was trying to slow things down. I’ve heard it said that Olly Robbins is the man on top of all the detail, while DD does the showmanship.”
In response to the news Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, said it smacked of “chaos”.
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He told the Standard: “Moving key individuals at this critical time adds a whole new dimension to the government’s chaotic approach to Brexit.
“Deep divisions in the Cabinet and a complete lack of leadership are putting the national interest at risk.”
But a Government spokesman played down the move, saying: “In order to strengthen cross Government co-ordination of the next phase of negotiations with the European Union, the Prime Minister has appointed Oliver Robbins as her EU Adviser in the Cabinet Office, in addition to his role as EU Sherpa.
“He will continue to lead the official-side UK team in the negotiations, working closely with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and coordinate relations with the Commission and member states.”
Mr Robbins’ deputy at DExEU, Philip Rycroft, will take over as Permanent Secretary.
And the spokesman said Mr Davis remained “principal of the negotiations, leading on exit-related legislation, domestic preparedness for exit and engagement with stakeholders in the UK, including the devolved administrations, and in the EU27 and beyond”.
Trade deal won't be fixed by 2019, says Irish ex-PM
Britain is unlikely to be able to complete a Brexit deal before the March 2019 deadline, Ireland’s former prime minister said today.
Bertie Ahern warned that talks on trade won’t begin until next year - pushing back the timeline for our EU departure.
Speaking at the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth, he said of Brexit: “This is a disaster - it’s not something we wanted, it’s not something we ever dreamed of.
“Anyone who believes it will all be settled by March 2019 - I wish you well in the lotto.”
Mr Ahern added: “I don’t think there’s any chance in hell the talks on the trade agreement will start before 2018.”
He predicted it will take at least six years to cut a trade deal between Britain and the EU, adding that “we will all be grey and old” by the end of the process.
We will formally leave the EU in March 2019, precisely two years after Theresa May triggered Article 50.
Speaking at the same event, liberal Polish politician Bartek Nowak said: “If Brexit means Brexit, then divorce means divorce - and it will be painful.”
He also suggested the Government should spend more time courting Brussels institutions such as the European Parliament and pay less attention to national leaders.