Theresa May gears up to finally reveal what ‘Brexit means Brexit’ actually means in major speech – and it WILL include leaving the single market
PM is preparing for biggest moment of her tenure in No10 so far amid accusations her Government lacks an exit strategy
THERESA May is gearing up to finally tell us what ‘Brexit means Brexit’ actually means with a major speech on the UK’s plans for exiting the EU.
The Prime Minister is preparing for the biggest moment of her tenure in No10 so far amid accusations by Sir Ivan Rogers her Government lacks an exit strategy.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis are contributing to the content of the address, which is expected later in January.
Mrs May will reportedly say Britain will pull out of the single market if the European Union fails to make concessions on freedom of movement, although Downing Street sources insisted the claims were speculation.
She moved swiftly to draw a line under the row sparked by the surprise resignation of Sir Ivan, the disgruntled top UK civil servant, by agreeing his replacement within 36 hours of his notice to quit.
He is being succeeded by career diplomat Sir Tim Barrow, a former ambassador to Russia described by No 10 as a "seasoned and tough negotiator" who will help the Government make a success of Brexit.
The appointment was welcomed by Labour but Ukip said the role should have been given to a "committed Brexiteer".
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In a fiery resignation letter, Sir Ivan had hit out at the "ill-founded arguments and muddled thinking" of politicians and said civil servants still did not know the Government's plans for Brexit.
It sparked a war of words, with prominent Brexiteers Iain Duncan Smith and Peter Lilley accusing the diplomat of "sour grapes" while former senior civil servant Lord Ricketts attacked the "denigration" of the long-serving mandarin.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said his replacement was "just the man" to secure the best deal for the UK.
"Tim Barrow has been invaluable since I joined the Foreign Office in July and I want to personally thank him for his relentless energy, wise counsel and steadfast commitment," he said.
Mr Davis said: "His knowledge of Brussels means he will be able to hit the ground running at a vital time, and steer UKRep throughout the negotiation period.
"I am confident that with his help, the UK will be able to forge a new relationship with the EU that works to the mutual benefit of both sides."
Sir Tim said he was "honoured" to be appointed to the crucial role.
But Ukip’s former leader Nigel Farage said: "Good to see that the Government have replaced a knighted career diplomat with ... a knighted career diplomat."
Speaking the morning Tom Fletcher, a former UK ambassador to Lebanon and former foreign policy adviser to three UK prime ministers, welcomed Sir Tim's appointment.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's the toughest negotiation in our lifetimes and I think he is up to it.
"I have seen him in Brussels. He knows the corridors, he knows the characters.
"But actually more importantly I saw him in Moscow where he was incredibly resilient as ambassador there, dealing with (Vladimir) Putin in a very testing time in our relationship and Tim had a reputation of being bulletproof out there."
