Senior career diplomat Tim Barrow has been appointed as Britain’s envoy to the European Union.<br />Described by Downing Street as “a seasoned and tough negotiator”, Barrow will now play a key role in the UK’s Brexit talks.<br /><br /> His appointment follows the resignation of Ivan Rogers who quit writing a scathing letter that exposed divisions among officials over British Prime Minister Theresa May’s exit strategy.<br /><br /> This part of Ivan Rogers’ resignation letter is the most brutal – adds credence to Remain fears there’s no strategy (via SamCoatesTimes) pic.twitter.com/hptJaineOl— Sebastian Payne (SebastianEPayne) January 3, 2017<br /><br /> Politicians on both sides of the EU debate were divided in their response to Ivan’s resignation, with pro-EU MPs saying the loss of his experience at a crucial time was a blow to the government’s negotiating strategy.<br /><br /> But analysts say his going has revealed more than just difficulties over how to approach the forthcoming talks. They have also revealed divisions between some senior civil servants and ministers .<br /><br /> Borrowed time<br /><br /> Rogers’ time in the job had looked uncertain from the moment a report was leaked last year revealing he had warned ministers that a trade deal with the EU could take 10 years to finalise. <br /><br /> Sir Ivan quit weeks after warning the Government that a post-#Brexit trade deal could take a decade to finalise > https://t.co/Bl1sABOxeh— The New European (@TheNewEuropean) January 4, 2017<br /><br /> Critics accused Rogers of lacking enthusiasm particularly as he was part of David Cameron’s team which tried to renegotiate relations with the EU before the June referendum.<br /><br /> His replacement, however may not be welcomed by some Brexit campaigners who had wanted a known eurosceptic in the post.<br /><br /> Barrow credentials<br /><br /> Current political director at the Foreign Office<br /><br /> Former UK ambassador to Moscow<br /><br /> Former first secretary at Britain’s embassy in Brussels<br /><br /> Not known to have taken a strong public position on Brexit<br /><br /> Good to see that the government have replaced a knighted career diplomat with…. a knighted career diplomat.— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 4, 2017<br />
