London, Dec 19: The United Kingdom’s Brexit minister, David Frost, has resigned over disagreements with Downing Street on a number of issues, including COVID-19 measures, Frost said in his resignation letter handed to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“…we agreed earlier this month that I would move on in January and hand over the baton to others to manage our future relationship with the EU. It is disappointing that this plan has become public this evening and in the circumstances I think it is right for me to write to step down with immediate effect,” Frost said in his letter, published by Downing Street on Saturday.
Earlier, The Mail on Sunday reported that Frost handed in his letter of resignation to Johnson a week ago, but was persuaded to stay in his post until January. Government sources told the newspaper that Frost’s departure appeared to be on good terms, despite the policy differences with Downing Street, including the Brexit minister’s opposition to recent tax rises and the net zero prioritisation, as well as vaccine passports, which he considers “an inappropriate measure on principle.”
Johnson said responding to Frost on Saturday that he was “very sorry” to receive his resignation letter and thanked him for his “unique contribution towards getting Brexit done.”
In his response letter, the prime minister praised Frost’s work as chief negotiator in securing the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and highlighted his efforts in trying to address issues relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
On Friday, Frost voiced his disappointment with the lack of progress in the negotiations with the European Union over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol and said a solution was urgently needed early next year or else the United Kingdom could trigger the article allowing one of the parties to temporarily abandon commitments.
