Oliver Letwin appointed to ‘facilitative’ Brexit role

David Cameron has established a civil service unit to prepare the way for Brexit negotiations to get under way under his successor as Prime Minister.

The creation of the team – immediately dubbed the “Brexit unit” by Westminster observers – was approved by a special Cabinet meeting called on Monday morning to discuss the Government response to Thursday’s referendum outcome.

Cabinet minister Oliver Letwin has been asked to carry out a “facilitative” role taking views from within and outside Government on what the next steps should be, said Downing Street.

The PM’s official spokeswoman said that the new unit would prepare options and advice for the new prime minister, but would have no decision-making powers on the nature of the UK’s future relationship with the EU.