Liz Truss MP: what is new Brexit role as Lord Frost resigns - and did foreign secretary vote remain or leave?

Foreign secretary Liz Truss will take on the responsibilities previously handled by Lord Frost relating to Brexit, following his resignation.

Having recently been promoted to the role of foreign secretary, Truss will now have “ministerial responsibility for the UK’s relationship with the European Union”, according to Number 10.

What will her new Brexit responsibilities involve?

In a statement following Lord Frost’s resignation, Number 10 said Truss will have "ministerial responsibility for the UK’s relationship with the European Union with immediate effect".

In practice this will mean taking over roles previously held by Lord Frost on a number of post-Brexit committees, including the partnership council.

Truss will also now take on the lead negotiating role with the EU over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol.

Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney welcomed the appointment, saying: “I’ve worked well with Liz previously in agriculture and more recently in foreign affairs.

“I look forward to working with her now on Brexit. Much work ahead but progress is achievable in the new year.”

Lord Frost was widely seen as taking a fairly hard line on the Northern Ireland protocol, leading to diplomatic tensions between the UK and Europe, as well as with the United States.

What are her views on Brexit?

Back in 2016, Truss campaigned for the UK to remain as part of the EU.

Following news of her recent appointment, social media users have unearthed a number of Tweets by Truss criticising the Leave campaign during the 2016 referendum.

In February 2016, Truss Tweeted: “I am backing remain as I believe it is in Britain’s economic interest and means we can focus on vital economic and social reform at home.”

Following news of her recent appointment, social media users have unearthed a number of Tweets by Truss criticising the Leave campaign during the 2016 referendum.

Truss underwent a transformation from being pro-Remain to an avid Brexiteer following the result of the referendum.

Having served as International Trade secretary under Boris Johnson, Truss’ role was to work on new and updated trade agreements following the UK’s exit from the EU.

While the Government faced tough headlines about deadlock in the negotiations with the European Union during the Brexit transition period, the South West Norfolk MP made a host of trade deals for the UK, ensuring the terms agreed while an EU member were ready to continue after exiting the bloc.

A coveted trade deal with the US eluded her, but Truss won plaudits in the Conservative Party for securing new terms with Japan and Australia, while a New Zealand agreement is said to be nearing completion.

Her Labour critics, however, bemoan that she did not deliver a “single trade deal that we didn’t already have inside the EU”, calling the praise within Government for her performance overblown.

Who is Liz Truss?

Brought up in Yorkshire, the married mother-of-two, whose relationship survived an affair with former Tory MP Mark Field before her election to the Commons, boasts an impressive CV.

Defying her upbringing by left-leaning parents, Truss has held posts such as education minister, environment secretary and justice secretary in previous Conservative governments.

Elected to Parliament in 2010, she previously worked in the energy and telecommunications industry and is a qualified management accountant.

From being mocked for her outrage about cheese imports to being appointed to one of the great offices of state, Truss has made a steady rise up the Cabinet ladder.