Britain picks ‘tough negotiator’ as new EU envoy

LONDON

Britain on Jan. 4 said it has picked a “tough negotiator” to replace its ambassador to the European Union, who unexpectedly resigned just weeks before Brexit negotiations are due to start.

Career diplomat Tim Barrow, the former ambassador to Moscow who has previously served in Brussels, replaces Ivan Rogers who resigned on Jan. 3 with an email which criticized London’s approach to leaving the bloc following the shock referendum result in June.

A Downing Street spokesperson said they were “delighted” that Barrow was taking up the post.

“A seasoned and tough negotiator, with extensive experience of securing U.K. objectives in Brussels, he will bring his trademark energy and creativity to this job - working alongside other senior officials and ministers to make a success of Brexit,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

During a 30-year diplomatic career Barrow has twice served in Brussels at UKRep, the office which represents Britain in negotiations in the EU, and has also been posted to Kiev as British ambassador.

Barrow said he was honored at being appointed at such a “crucial time.”

“I look forward to joining the strong leadership team at the Department for Exiting the EU and working with them and the talented staff at UKRep to ensure we get the right outcome for the United Kingdom as we leave the EU,” he said.

The appointment was welcomed by Tom Fletcher, Britain’s former ambassador to Lebanon.

“Great news. Tenacious, human, expert, connected, thick skinned enough not to worry about nutters, and will avoid poison in the chalice,” he wrote on Twitter.  

Charles Grant, director for the Centre for European Reform, also viewed the appointment positively.

“Good that Tim Barrow will replace Ivan Rogers at UKREP. He is expert on EU [&Russia] & will be respected by its governments and institutions,” he tweeted.

Barrow will begin his new post at a key moment in relations between Brussels and London, as British Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to kick-start negotiations to quit the EU by the end of March.

Barrow’s predecessor faced criticism last month when he said it would take 10 years for Britain to conclude a trade deal with the EU.