UK makes foreign minister lead EU negotiator after Frost exit

'Pleased to be taking on responsibility for the EU negotiations,' Truss tweeted after the announcement

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed the foreign minister to lead talks with Europe Sunday after the resignation of the Brexit minister sent shockwaves through the already troubled London administration.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will take on the EU negotiating brief -- including the knotty issue of Northern Ireland's relationship with Brussels -- with immediate effect, Downing Street said in a statement.

He acted after The Mail on Sunday newspaper reported that he had handed in his resignation a week ago, but had agreed to wait until January before leaving his post.

"The Foreign Secretary is to become lead negotiator with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, following the departure of Lord Frost," Johnson's office said in a statement.

That was partly blamed on a slew of reports that his staff and aides had held parties last Christmas despite virus restrictions in place at the time.

The newspaper said it took place in May 2020, when Covid restrictions forbidding such gatherings were in force, and those present were not observing social distancing guidelines.

Last week's by-election loss for Johnson's Conservatives intensified speculation of a leadership challenge.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Sky News on Sunday that Frost was "an outstanding public servant", adding: "I do understand his reasons, he's a principled man, you know, principled people do resign from the government."

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen warned Johnson was "running out of time and out of friends to deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative government.

"We also need to learn to live with Covid and I know that is your instinct too," he said, in apparent reference to the new measures introduced by the government last week.

- Unlocking the N.Ireland issue -

Frost had been locked in talks for weeks over the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs trade between the British mainland of England, Scotland and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, and with the European Union.

Frost had been especially focused on revamping the agreement's governance, objecting to the top EU court in Luxembourg's involvement in its implementation.

Frost, 56, was appointed as Johnson's so-called EU "sherpa" shortly after the British leader took office in July 2019. 

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