May takes back control of Brexit talks as ‘sherpa’ becomes No10 adviser

Theresa May will take a more prominent role in shaping Brexit talks after shifting the Whitehall official leading the UK’S negotiating team to become her adviser on the European Union.

Critics accused the government of allowing talks to collapse into “chaos” after Oliver Robbins left his role as the permanent secretary at David Davis’ department to take an advisory position at the Cabinet Office.

Mr Robbins will “continue to lead the official-side UK team” as Mrs May’s ‘sherpa’ in nego- tiations with the EU, Downing Street said. The move follows reports of personal differences between Mr Robbins and Mr Davis over the negotiations in Brussels.

Questionshadbeenraised over Mr Robbins’ role answering to both Mr Davis and Mrs May. Mr Robbins worked closely with Mrs May as second permanent secretary at the Home Office for a year during her tenure as home secretary.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer questioned the wisdom of moving key individuals at a critical time in the process, claiming it “adds a whole new dimension to government’s chaotic approach to Brexit”.

Former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake voiced surprised at the move, saying: “I wonder how he can lead a process of negotiation and not also be leading the department responsible for that process.”

The SNP’S foreign affairs spokesman Stephen Gethins MP said: “This resignation highlights the chaos at the heart of her government’s approach to EU negotiations.

“Beyond the false bravado and rhetoric, it’s clear that this is a Tory government riddled with chaos.”