CABINET CHAOS BLIGHTS BREXIT
THE Tories are making a mess of Brexit, one of Britain’s most senior former diplomats has warned.
In a damning verdict Sir Simon Fraser said of the negotiations with the EU: “I don’t think they have begun particularly promisingly, frankly, on the British side.”
Sir Simon, the highest ranking civil servant at the Foreign Office from 2010 to 2015, told BBC radio that the huge divisions in the Cabinet meant Tory ministers were ill prepared.
In contrast, the 27 nations of the EU have put on a united front, publishing detailed negotiating posi- tions for each key policy area. “We haven’t put forward a lot because, as we know, there are differences within the Cabinet about the sort of Brexit that we are heading for,” Sir Simon said on Westminster Hour.
“Until those differences are further resolved, I think it’s very difficult for us to have a clear position. We are a bit absent from formal negotiations.” His comments echo the bemusement across Europe. Diplomats thought Brexit Minister David Davis was bluffing when he arrived at talks so unprepared, it is claimed.
Theresa May’s official spokesman hit back: “We would disagree strongly. We have had a constructive start.”
As we reported yesterday, No10 has played down reports Britain has agreed to pay a £36billion “divorce bill” to leave the EU, the spokesman added: “I don’t recognise that figure.”
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said last month that the EU could “go whistle” for the cash.