Jack Maidment, political correspondent
18 SEPTEMBER 2017 • 12:26PM
Theresa May, the Prime Minister CREDIT: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP
Oliver Robbins, the top official at the Department for Exiting the European Union and Mr Davis’s right hand man during talks in Brussels, has now been appointed EU adviser to the Prime Minister.
He will report directly to Downing Street but will keep leading the UK’s team of officials during talks with the bloc.
It comes amid reports of a strained relationship between Mr Robbins, who was the permanent secretary at the Brexit department, and Mr Davis.
The shake up is likely to be seen as Mrs May asserting her authority over the talks and as evidence of her taking direct control of the negotiations.
Oliver Robbins, the former permanent secretary for the Department
for Exiting the European Union
CREDIT: DARIO PIGNATELLI/BLOOMBERG
It is also likely to reinforce the Prime Minister’s reputation across Whitehall as a “micro-manager”.
The timing of the change is also likely to raise eyebrows across Westminster, coming days after Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, made a dramatic intervention in the Brexit debate by publishing his own vision of what the terms of the UK's withdrawal should be.
A Government spokesman confirmed the move which was first reported by the Evening Standard.
The spokesman said: "In order to strengthen cross Government co-ordination of the next phase of negotiations with the European Union, the Prime Minister has appointed Oliver Robbins as her EU Adviser in the Cabinet Office, in addition to his role as EU Sherpa.
"He will continue to lead the official-side UK team in the negotiations, working closely with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and coordinate relations with the Commission and Member States.
"The Prime Minister has appointed Philip Rycroft, currently Second Permanent Secretary at the Department for Exiting the EU and Cabinet Office, as Permanent Secretary, Department for Exiting the EU.
It is also likely to reinforce the Prime Minister’s reputation across Whitehall as a “micro-manager”.
The timing of the change is also likely to raise eyebrows across Westminster, coming days after Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, made a dramatic intervention in the Brexit debate by publishing his own vision of what the terms of the UK's withdrawal should be.
A Government spokesman confirmed the move which was first reported by the Evening Standard.
The spokesman said: "In order to strengthen cross Government co-ordination of the next phase of negotiations with the European Union, the Prime Minister has appointed Oliver Robbins as her EU Adviser in the Cabinet Office, in addition to his role as EU Sherpa.
"He will continue to lead the official-side UK team in the negotiations, working closely with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and coordinate relations with the Commission and Member States.
"The Prime Minister has appointed Philip Rycroft, currently Second Permanent Secretary at the Department for Exiting the EU and Cabinet Office, as Permanent Secretary, Department for Exiting the EU.
David Davis, the Brexit Secretary CREDIT: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP
"The Department will continue to support David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, to ensure a smooth exit and to seize the opportunities presented by leaving the EU.
"This will include his role as principal of the negotiations, leading on exit-related legislation, domestic preparedness for exit and engagement with stakeholders in the UK, including the devolved administrations, and in the EU27 and beyond."
Mr Robbins' move from the Brexit department to the Cabinet Office is understood to have taken EU officials in Brussels by surprise.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said the move was further evidence of the “Government’s chaotic approach” to withdrawal negotiations.
“Deep divisions in the Cabinet and a complete lack of leadership are putting the national interest at risk,” he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/18/theresa-may-tightens-grip-brexit-hiring-david-daviss-right-hand/
"The Department will continue to support David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, to ensure a smooth exit and to seize the opportunities presented by leaving the EU.
"This will include his role as principal of the negotiations, leading on exit-related legislation, domestic preparedness for exit and engagement with stakeholders in the UK, including the devolved administrations, and in the EU27 and beyond."
Mr Robbins' move from the Brexit department to the Cabinet Office is understood to have taken EU officials in Brussels by surprise.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said the move was further evidence of the “Government’s chaotic approach” to withdrawal negotiations.
“Deep divisions in the Cabinet and a complete lack of leadership are putting the national interest at risk,” he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/18/theresa-may-tightens-grip-brexit-hiring-david-daviss-right-hand/
