Downing Street has appointed a new National Security Adviser days before Lord David Frost was due to start.

The chief Brexit negotiator was meant to take up the post on Monday, but will now be replaced by the Ministry of Defence’s Sir Stephen Lovegrove.

No 10 faced criticism over Lord Frost’s appointment in June last year, with former PM Theresa May saying he had «no proven expertise» in the area. Now he will be the PM’s representative on Brexit and International Policy.

A statement from Boris Johnson did not explain why Lord Frost was changing roles. But the prime minister said he was «thrilled» Lord Frost had accepted the new post, and that Sir Stephen would bring «a wealth of experience from across Whitehall and in national security».

Lord Frost was announced at the successor to Sir Mark Sedwill in June 2020, after the UK’s top civil servant said he would step down from his joint role as National Security Adviser and Cabinet Secretary. The former diplomat was due to take on the job in August, but after delays to Brexit negotiations, his start date was moved to 1 February 2021. No 10 was criticised for putting a political appointee into the role, rather than a civil servant, with Labour calling the move «dangerous».

Mrs May — who appointed Sir Mark into the role when she was PM — said she had «listened to the expert, independent advice from national security advisers» when in Downing Street, asking: «Why is the new national security adviser a political appointee with no proven expertise in national security?» Former Foreign Secretary and ex-Tory leader Lord William Hague also raised concerns about the decision, saying while Lord Frost was «highly capable», the role was better suited to someone with first-hand experience of security operations.

But Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove defended the appointment, saying Lord Frost was a «distinguished diplomat in his own right». He added: «It is entirely appropriate that the prime minister of the day should choose an adviser appropriate to the needs of the hour.»

Lord Frost’s new role will see him head a new International Policy Unit in No 10.

Downing Street said he would «lead the UK’s institutional and strategic relationship with the EU, and to help drive through changes to maximise the opportunities of Brexit, including on international trade and economic issues». He will also continue to be a special advisor to the PM, and take a leave of absence from the House of Lords.

Lord Frost said he was «delighted to take up this new role,» adding: «With a new agreement with the EU in place, we have huge opportunities to boost our wealth and define what we stand for as a country internationally, and I very much look forward to supporting the prime minister on this.» His replacement, Sir Stephen, will become National Security Adviser in March, after five years as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, which he described as «an immense privilege».

No 10 said he will be responsible for managing the foreign, international economic and national security teams within the Cabinet Office, and advise the PM «on all matters of international and domestic security».

Sir Stephen said he was also «delighted» with his new job, adding: «On this broader canvas I aim to deliver the prime minister’s vision for an enhanced and more engaged role for the UK in the world, leading the national security community to embrace the opportunities now available to us, while ensuring we are well prepared to deal with the challenges we face.»