Department for Exiting the European Union

Department for Exiting the European Union
Department overview
Formed14 July 2016
Dissolved31 January 2020 23:00 GMT[1]
Superseding department
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
Headquarters9 Downing Street, London, England[2]
Employees700+[3]
Minister responsible
Department executive
WebsiteOfficial website

The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU; also known as the Department for Brexit or Brexit Department)[2] was a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for overseeing negotiations relating to Brexit, and establishing the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU.[2] It was formed by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, in July 2016, in the wake of the referendum vote to leave the European Union.[4] The department was dissolved on 31 January 2020 when Brexit took effect.[1]

The department was formed by combining staff from the Cabinet Office’s Europe Unit, the Europe Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the United Kingdom's Permanent Representation to the EU, and was able to take on staff from other government departments as necessary.[5] The department was overseen by David Davis MP until he resigned on 8 July 2018.[6][7] Dominic Raab was appointed as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on 9 July 2018,[8] but resigned on 15 November 2018 over the draft withdrawal agreement.[9] His replacement was announced on 16 November 2018 to be Steve Barclay.[10]

  1. ^ a b "Queen's Speech LIVE: Focus on Brexit and NHS as Boris Johnson looks to deliver election promises". Sky News. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Department for Exiting the European Union". GOV.UK. 3 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Civil Service Careers". www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Theresa May signals Whitehall rejig with two new Cabinet posts". Civil Service World. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Machinery of Government Changes:Written statement – HCWS94". Hansard. 18 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  6. ^ Rayner, Gordon (8 July 2018). "David Davis resigns as Brexit secretary". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Brexit Secretary David Davis resigns". BBC News. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  8. ^ Dan Sabbagh; Jessica Elgot (9 July 2018). "Dominic Raab named Brexit secretary in cabinet reshuffle". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab resigns over EU agreement". BBC News. 15 November 2018. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Stephen Barclay named new Brexit Secretary". BBC News. 16 November 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.