Commenting on the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers as the UK’s ambassador to the EU, Keir Starmer, Labour’s Shadow Secretary State for Exiting the European Union, said:

“Sir Ivan Rogers is a highly respected, experienced and capable diplomat, so it is a deeply worrying sign for Brexit negotiations that he has resigned. 

“Sir Ivan was right to share with the Government the soundings he was receiving from EU member states about the complexity of striking a UK-EU trade deal within two years. The Prime Minister needs to be far more willing to hear difficult truths. Having met recently with Sir Ivan, I am in no doubt his early resignation will be a real loss. 

“The Prime Minister and the Foreign Office need to urgently provide much needed clarity on this, and to announce what steps will now be put in place.”