Government recruiting for top trade negotiator who will earn more than Theresa May

Critics suggest the high salary of £160,000 is indicative of the tough job ahead

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr Liam Fox, but will be paid nearly £20,000 more than him (ABACA/PA Images)

The government’s chief trade negotiator will earn almost £10,000 more than the prime minister when they are installed in the role.

The new appointment will be charged with negotiating deals around the world after Brexit.

Critics have said the high wage – almost £10,000 more than the just over £150,000 earned by the prime minister – reveals the tough nature of the job ahead and the lack of talent available for it.

The UK will be unable to secure trade with other countries until Britain until it has left the European Union, which is likely to happen in 2019 at the earliest.

The high-paying role was posted on an internal civil service website, The Guardian reported. The advert said even more money “may be available for an exceptional candidate”.

Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox, with whom the successful candidate will work closely, earns around £142,500.

Candidates will be selected in March, around the time Theresa May plans to trigger Article 50.

Angus MacNeil, chair of the House of Commons international trade select committee, told the newspaper the large sum was “indicative of the fact the UK is desperately thinking ‘What now? What next?’ that it is paying top dollar.”

He added: “People complained about a Brussels bureaucracy, but this is probably going to end up being doubled in a Westminster and Whitehall bureaucracy just to replicate that work.”

Tim Farron, the stridently anti-Brexit leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Appointing a trade envoy on £160,000, who will be paid more than the prime minister, who cannot actually do their job for two years, shows how frankly stupid this government is being over Brexit.”

The Department for International Trade did not immediately respond to The Independent’s request for comment, but told The Guardian: “The new expert chief trade negotiation adviser will lead and support the establishment of a world-class trade negotiation function as the UK moves towards leaving the EU.

“This role is part of our ongoing recruitment, enabling us to build a team from the widest pool of talent in the civil service and externally, across a range of policy expertise and international experience.”