Theresa May’s team was accused of a lack of direction on Brexit, following the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers, left, as British ambassador to Brussels

Theresa May faced a mandarin revolt yesterday as some of Britain’s most senior retired officials and diplomats suggested that the prime minister was falling short over Brexit.

Figures whose careers spanned 20 years in the great offices of state intervened after Sir Ivan Rogers, the British ambassador to Brussels, quit in frustration weeks before Brexit talks were due to begin.

Sir Ivan resigned because he believed that No 10 was unwilling to heed difficult messages and he did not have the support of some Brexit ministers. He urged his successor to continue to deliver “unvarnished” advice.

Sir Tim Barrow, a former ambassador to Moscow, was chosen to replace Sir Ivan Rogers

Mrs May sought to take the sting out of the criticism by appointing Sir Tim Barrow, the former ambassador to Russia, to replace Sir Ivan. The speed suggests that