WIREDGOV

Commenting on reactions across the media to the resignation of the UK's Ambassador to the EU Sir Ivan Rogers, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman said:

"It doesn't surprise me that some politicians are calling for pro-Brexit civil servants to be appointed, what surprises me is the deafening silence from Ministers who should be taking to the airwaves to defend the integrity and capability of the impartial civil service.

"The Prime Minister herself has publicly criticised civil servants, trivialised those who suggest that the civil service is being under-resourced and now sits back as key officials are pilloried by a succession of former Ministers.

"If the civil service is to deliver a successful Brexit negotiation, the recipe for that success is unlikely to be to starve it of resources, lack clarity of objective and be surrounded with yes men and women who will not speak truth unto power."

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union for the UK's senior public servants and professionals at grade HEO and above. FDA membership includes more than 18,000 senior civil servants, diplomats, Government policy advisors, prosecutors, tax professionals, economists, solicitors and other professionals working across Government and the NHS.
2. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union". 
3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk.
4. For further information contact:

• Dave Penman, General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07967 503827.
• Kay Hender, Communications Manager, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07980 700747.