Reports just reaching Ceoafrica’s news desk reveals that the United Kingdom's (UK) top diplomat in Brussels, Sir Ivan Rogers, has resigned.

Although, the Foreign Office said it would not give reasons for Mr Rogers' departure at the moment, but Sir Ivan, who was appointed to the role of permanent representative by David Cameron in 2013, had been expected to play a key role in Brexit talks expected to start within months.

Ceoafrica gathered that he had privately told ministers a UK-EU (European Union) trade deal might take 10 years to finalise, which he affirmed as the view of other 27 member states.

It was further gathered that there had been "some failure of synchronicity" between Sir Ivan and the UK government, because Sir Ivan was due to leave his post in November but is stepping down early.

Hillary Benn, who chairs the Brexit select committee, said Sir Ivan's resignation had come at a "crucial" time and urged the government to "get its skates on" in finding a replacement.

Prime Minister Theresa May says she will trigger formal talks between the UK and the EU by the end of March.