London: Following the retirement of Brexit minister David Frost, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will become the chief negotiator with the European Union (EU) on the Northern Ireland Protocol, Downing Street announced. Truss will take up ministerial responsibility for the UK's relationship with the EU with immediate effect, while continuing to serve as Foreign Secretary.

Frost stated in his resignation letter on Saturday that he is concerned about the government's "current course of travel." He voiced displeasure with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's recent announcement of tougher measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. "You made the bold decision to reopen the country in July, despite strong resistance. Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be irreversible "Frost said.

Frost was the lead negotiator for the major Brexit deal with Brussels, but he had also recently worked to resolve the border dispute between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

A protocol was established as part of Britain's exit from the EU, allowing products to be moved easily between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the border, which is currently the only EU barrier within the British Isles.

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