LONDON • Britain's new Brexit Minister Dominic Raab is an ardent eurosceptic from a new wave of up-and-coming Conservatives who have quickly climbed the ministerial ladder.

The new Secretary of State for exiting the European Union might also prove useful in a Brexit scrap with Brussels: He holds a black belt third Dan in karate and is a regular boxer.

The 44-year-old was charged with handling Britain's impending exit on Monday after Mr David Davis - his old mentor - quit over Prime Minister Theresa May's proposal to adopt EU rules on goods after Brexit.

Mr Raab jumps straight into a heavyweight Cabinet job from the junior ministerial ranks - a mark of Mrs May's confidence in his ability to handle the sharp end of deliberations before Britain leaves the EU in March next year.

Mr Raab is among the ambitious younger Conservatives who have entered Parliament over the last decade who are now knocking on the Cabinet door.

He lists his core convictions as lower taxes, slashing bureaucracy, spreading free speech, putting terrorists under surveillance, creating "more ladders of opportunity" and strengthening local democracy.

"Dominic is very loyal," The Sunday Times quoted Mr Davis as saying in 2014. "He's very tough and clear-thinking. You can't intimidate him."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE