‘Delay Brexit and come up with a clear plan’, urge former diplomats

A group of retired diplomats have issued a plea to Theresa May to delay Brexit to allow more time to establish a clearer plan or allow for a second referendum.

More than 40 former ambassadors and Foreign Office mandarins reported “exasperation and incomprehension” among contacts overseas at the UK’S failure to resolve its differences over its future relationship with the EU.

The statement, organised by supporters of a second referendum, was signed by former ambassadors to the US, France and Russia, as well as one- 0 Lord Kerr signed the statement

time head of the Foreign Office Lord Kerr, one of the authors of the Article 50 clause that sets out the process for quitting the EU.

They said: “Our advice to Theresa May today is clear. We should not leave the EU when we have no clarity about our final destination. We strongly advocate a change of direction before it is too late.”

Lord Ricketts, a former ambassador to France, said: “All of us have our networks abroad. We can all feel the rising exasperation and incomprehension at why Britain can’t resolve its internal differences.

“This is a wake-up call. If we can’t get a clear agreement, let’s delay. Let’s not go over the cliff without pausing and thinking.” Former ambassador to Washington Sir Nigel Sheinwald said: “Whatever view you take of Brexit, the fact is we need a pause.”