- British Brexit Minister David Frost has announced his resignation. He was responsible for UK relations with the European Union (EU).
- Frost had sent a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday evening. He regretted the move and wrote that Frost should be proud of his historical service to the government.
- He is sad that the lifting of the Covid restrictions has not turned out to be “irreversible” as promised, said Frost in his farewell letter.
The minister responsible for relations with the EU so far sent a letter to Johnson on Saturday evening, which triggered further shock waves in Westminster. Frost wrote in it that he had decided to resign “with immediate effect” after the news of his resignation, which was actually planned for January, had become known.
“Brexit is now secured”
“It is disappointing that this plan became known this evening. And under the circumstances, I consider it right to declare my immediate resignation in writing. ” Johnson regretted the move and wrote that Frost should be proud of his historic service to the government.
“Brexit is now secured,” says Frost in his farewell letter. But: “The challenge for the government is now to use the opportunities that it offers us.” He has “concerns” about the current path.
Dissatisfied with corona policy
The conservative politician is speaking from the heart of many of his party’s backbenchers. Frost admits that he is sad that the lifting of the Covid restrictions has not turned out to be “irreversible” as promised. “I hope that we will soon get back on track.”
Legend:
Frost (left) negotiated the Brexit trade pact at the last minute with his French counterpart Michel Barnier, who represented the EU.
Keystone / Archives
For Johnson, that was probably the second bad news of the week. It wasn’t until Friday that he suffered a defeat in an important mood test. In a by-election for a seat in the House of Commons in rural North Shropshire, Liberal Democrat candidate Helen Morgan surprisingly prevailed. The Tories lost a region that they had firmly held for almost 200 years.
Still many points of contention
Frost is also a member of the British House of Lords and last year negotiated the Brexit trade pact with his French counterpart Michel Barnier, who represented the EU, at the last minute. This enables largely duty-free trade between Great Britain and the EU even after the country leaves the European Union. However, there are still many hurdles, problems and points of contention.
In the entangled talks that Frost had had with EU Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic over the past few months, both sides had recently come closer to each other. But we are still miles away from solving all problems.
In Brussels, you shouldn’t miss Frost, which was notorious for its tough Brexit line. It is questionable whether Foreign Minister Liz Truss, who will in future negotiate with Brussels over Northern Ireland, will be more willing to compromise. Johnson put her in charge of relations with the EU on Sunday evening.