LONDON—Britain’s outgoing ambassador to the European Union has strongly criticized the government’s approach to Brexit negotiations in a blistering farewell email to his staff.
Ivan Rogers said Prime Minister Theresa May’s government has been hindered by “ill-founded arguments” and “muddled thinking” in its approach to the upcoming talks to pull Britain out of the EU.
His harsh critiques, likely to embarrass the government in the run-up to complex negotiations with the other 27 members of the EU bloc, were made public when the email was published by British media Wednesday.
Rogers’ abrupt departure reveals the deep uncertainties within the government about how to best protect Britain’s national interest as it leaves the EU.
May on Wednesday evening appointed Tim Barrow, a former U.K. ambassador to Russia, as Rogers’ replacement.
EU Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said Rogers would be missed.
“We regret the loss of a very professional, very knowledgeable, while not always easy interlocutor and diplomat who always loyally defended the interests of his government,” she said.
