Warwickshire schoolboy chosen as UK’s Ambassador to EU

PRIME MINISTER Theresa May, who launched her Conservative Party leadership campaign in Birmingham last summer, has returned to the West Midlands for her latest major appointment – the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU.

She has chosen Sir Tim Barrow to replace Sir Ivan Rogers, who unexpectedly resigned earlier this week.

Sir Tim is a 52-year-old career diplomat who went to Arnold Lodge School in Leamington Spa before continuing his secondary education at Warwick School. He then studied at the University of Warwick before going on to Oxford University and entering the diplomatic service.

He has had two previous spells in Brussels and has been the UK’s Ambassador to the Ukraine and Russia

Sir Tim said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU at this crucial time. I look forward to joining the strong leadership team at the Department for Exiting the EU and working with them and the talented staff at UKRep to ensure we get the right outcome for the United Kingdom as we leave the EU.”

A Downing Street spokesperson added: “A seasoned and tough negotiator, with extensive experience of securing UK objectives in Brussels, he will bring his trademark energy and creativity to this job – working alongside other senior officials and Ministers to make a success of Brexit.”