The French government has called on Boris Johnson to use David Frost’s resignation as Brexit minister to “rebuild trust” with the EU amid uncertainty over the prime minister’s approach in the new year, reports The Guardian.
Clément Beaune, France’s EU affairs minister, who had a series of run-ins with the prime minister’s pugnacious minister, suggested that Downing Street should use the moment to reset the troubled relationship.
He said: “We had difficult relations but we always continued the dialogue. I send my best with respect to David Frost after his resignation. It is time for the British government to rebuild a climate of trust with France and the EU in the interest of all.”
The announcement that Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, would take on responsibility for EU affairs has done little to clarify how the prime minister will approach various ongoing issues.
A remain voter before the campaign, Truss switched to become one of the most vocal backers of Brexit, notably avoiding even mention of the EU in recent speeches about the country’s foreign policy.
In recent weeks, the UK government softened its approach to the post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, with the two sides brokering a Christmas truce in the talks on a relatively positive note. But Truss, who regularly comes out top in surveys of the Conservative membership’s favourite cabinet ministers, has pushed a tough line towards Brussels in the past.
One EU diplomat said of Lord Frost’s resignation: “Hopefully the new negotiator will be more pragmatic, making good relations with the EU and its member states relations a priority over the pursuit of a pure, antagonistic Brexit – we’re not holding our breath.”