He was given the director general post in January this year, but had run the Ireland team since June last year.  Sources said he was leaving for the job in the royal household because it was a “brilliant opportunity”, adding there was no connection between his decision and continuing rows over Ireland’s border. British officials were in Brussels on Monday for the start of six weeks of talks on Ireland, in anticipation of some resolution on the issue before the next European council summit in June.

There will be no major data releases both from the UK and USA tomorrow so we can expect less volatile session.