Britain’s chief Brexit minister David Frost resigns, in blow to Boris Johnson

Frost told Johnson he had ‘concerns about the current direction of travel’ regarding coronavirus regulations and tax rises

Johnson is already reeling from a rebellion by 100 MPs in a vote over Covid-19 measures and the loss of a 23,000-majority seat in a by-election

Reading Time:3 minutes

Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator David Frost in Brussels in November. Photo: AP

Published: 5:27am, 19 Dec 2021Updated: 2:31pm, 19 Dec 2021

Former Brexit negotiator David Frost resigned from the British government with immediate effect on Saturday, topping a torrid week for Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a party rebellion on new coronavirus curbs and by-election humiliation.

Frost, a trusted ally of the prime minister, sent his resignation letter following reports that he was to leave his post in January.

“It is disappointing that this plan has become public this evening and in the circumstances I think it is right for me to write to step down with immediate effect,” he said in the letter, published by Johnson’s Downing Street office.

Frost told Johnson he had “concerns about the current direction of travel” regarding coronavirus regulations and tax rises.

Johnson responded that he was “very sorry” to receive the resignation, “given everything you have achieved and contributed to this government”.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: DPA

The Mail on Sunday earlier reported that Frost had handed in his resignation a week ago, but had been persuaded to stay on until the New Year.