Edward Lister leaves role as special envoy to Gulf after two months

Former UK chief of staff described as 'outstanding servant' to country in government tribute

Edward Lister held the role of UK special envoy for the Gulf and is co-chair of the UAE-UK Business Council. Pawan Singh / The National

The UK's special envoy to the Arabian Gulf has decided to step back from a front-line role.
Edward Lister is leaving a mere two months after starting the position, according to The Telegraph.
The 71-year-old worked as joint chief of staff in Downing Street until last year and had been working by the side of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London until 2015.

The newly created envoy role was described as a strategic effort to build a new platform for the relationship between the UK and the Gulf.

“The prime minister is hugely grateful for Lord Lister’s dedicated service over many years,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

“He has been an outstanding servant to the country, to the government and to the prime minister when he was mayor of London.”

On appointing Mr Lister two months ago, Mr Johnson said, "The Gulf is a pivotal region both economically and geopolitically"

The prime minister said the move marked his "ambition to achieve a wholescale modernisation of our Gulf relationships, creating jobs and driving prosperity at home while delivering on our priorities and values overseas".
Mr Lister has taken on some of the most sensitive international challenges facing the UK government, including bilateral visits and acting as a liaison on investments. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has made foreign visits problematic.

Mr Johnson was forced to cancel a trip to India this week as New Delhi went into lockdown over rising infections.