Jonathan Jones' resignation over Brexit law-breaking met with dismay

Friends and colleagues say top civil servant in intolerable position after advice ignored

Friends and former colleagues of the government lawyer Sir Jonathan Jones said his resignation suggested he had been put in an intolerable position, with a cabinet minister admitting the government intended to break the law.

Jones resigned on Tuesday, giving no reason in his departure email to colleagues, but Whitehall sources and former colleagues said he had clashed with the attorney general, Suella Braverman, over the government's intention to override parts of the withdrawal agreement.