Sir Ivan Rogers has suddenly resigned today as Britain’s ambassador to the UK. The shock resignation comes just weeks after a major row over Sir Ivan’s warning that a post-Brexit EU trade deal could take a decade to achieve. Despite the row, Sir Ivan was expected to stay in his post until at least the end of 2017. This sudden departure leaves Britain without one of its most experienced EU negotiators in the face of upcoming Brexit negotiations due to commence by the end of March this year.
Today, a Government spokesman said: “Sir Ivan has taken this decision now to enable a successor to be appointed before the UK invokes Article 50 by the end of March.”