Theresa May takes charge of Brexit negotiations with the EU in Brussels while the new Brexit secretary acts as her deputy.
Dominic Raab was recently appointed as Brexit secretary following the resignation of David Davis.
Mrs May has announced that she would take the lead in crucial Brexit talks whilst Domic Raab would focus on domestic tasks such as legislation and post-Brexit planning.
“I will lead the negotiations with the European Union, with the secretary of state for exiting the European Union deputising on my behalf.
Both of us will be supported by the Cabinet Office Europe Unit and with this in mind the Europe Unit will have overall responsibility for the preparation and conduct of the negotiations, drawing upon support from DExEU (the Department for Exiting the EU) and other departments as required.” Said Theresa May at the last PMQs before the summer recess.
Shadow Brexit minister, Jenny Chapman, stated: “Dominic Raab has been side-lined by the prime minister before he has even had the chance to get his feet under the table.”
Mr Raab said that there has been a “shifting of the Whitehall deckchairs” which would mean that they would work as a team under “one chain of command” and that there is no tension as both himself and the prime minister would attend the meeting and offer advice.
He insisted that he had not been side-lined and that he was fully aware of these changes when he was offered the position by May.
