The UK faces a "very hard Brexit" because it lacks experience in international negotiations, Norway's Prime Minister has warned.

Erna Solberg said the UK's membership of the European Union meant it has been a "long time" since the country held complicated international talks on its own, and claimed this inexperience could slow down discussions.

Although she expressed hope that the UK would be able to negotiate an agreement which kept it close to the EU, she warned it could be a difficult task.

London's lack of top-level negotiating talent was something highlighted by Sir Ivan Rogers when he resigned as Britain's ambassador to the EU in an explosive letter earlier this week.

Image: Sir Tim Barrow speaking at a Team GB event during the Sochi Olympics

Chancellor Philip Hammond has described his successor, Sir Tim Barrow, as a "great asset to Britain".


Speaking to Sky News Arabia, he said: "(Sir Tim) is a very experienced and seasoned diplomat. Very tough, he was our ambassador in Moscow for many years.

"He's worked in the EU before, so has good knowledge of how the EU works, and he's a very tough negotiator, and so he's going to be a great asset in this negotiating process."

Brexit campaigners have been split over Sir Tim's appointment to succeed Sir Ivan Rogers, who unexpectedly resigned on Tuesday just weeks before formal Brexit negotiations are due to begin.

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Many prominent Leave and Remain supporters have welcomed the decision by Theresa May.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Sir Tim was "just the man" to get the best deal for the UK, while Brexit Secretary David Davis said his knowledge of Brussels meant he would "hit the ground running".

But former UKIP leader Nigel Farage was among the first to criticise the appointment.

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He tweeted: "Good to see that the Government have replaced a knighted career diplomat with... a knighted career diplomat."

UKIP said the role should have been given to a committed Brexit supporter.

Mr Farage's successor Paul Nuttall said: "I welcome the speedy appointment of Sir Tim Barrow but he has to show that he's UKRep to the EU, not EURep to the UK."

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Sir Ivan sent shockwaves through the political establishment with a scathing resignation email to his staff, in which he accused Number 10 of "ill-founded arguments and muddled thinking" over leaving the EU.

Sir Tim is a career diplomat who has had two previous spells working as part of the UK's Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep), having joined the Foreign Office in 1986.

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The swift appointment follows demands from Labour for Mr Davis to face MPs over the controversy and for the Government to set out a clear timetable for the publication of its Brexit plan.

Labour has said "fundamental questions" about the Government's Brexit strategy "remain unanswered".

:: Watch Prime Minister Theresa May appear on the first edition of Sophy Ridge on Sunday at 10am live on Sky News