Brexit today – as it happened: EU leaders give Theresa May the go ahead to move to second phase of talks
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Your support makes all the difference.European leaders have formally agreed to move to the next stage of the Brexit negotiations after deeming “sufficient progress” has been made on key issues.
It now provides Theresa May with the green light to discuss “transitional arrangements” with the EU 27 and the overall framework for the future relationship.
Announcing the breakthrough at a news conference, the European Commission President Donald Tusk also said “congratulations” to the Prime Minister on the new progress.
After meeting with her EU counterparts on Thursday, Ms May flew back to the UK in the evening after attending the EU summit, where she spoke over dinner of her wish to move to the next stage of the talks.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the applause came because “some of us felt, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised”.
Back in her constituency on Friday, Ms May declared she is “well on the road” to delivering Brexit after the crucial agreement was formally reached.
She said Britain would be “beginning the talks about our future relationship straight away”, adding: “There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure.”
This liveblog is now closed but you can see Friday’s developments below.
Scotland's Europe Minister Michael Russell has said remaining in the customs union and single market is the only way to reduce "economic damage" of Brexit.
The Scottish Government has made it clear that it would not accept it if Northern Ireland was allowed a "special arrangement" with the EU - due to the complexities around the border - and Scotland was not.
Mr Russell said: “Of course, it is welcome that we now know the UK / EU negotiations will progress to the next round of issues shortly. Businesses and people need urgent clarity on the UK’s future relationship with the EU and the details of a transition period.
“Remaining a member of the Single Market and Customs Union is the only way to minimise the economic damage Brexit will cause. We have also made clear that if it is possible to create a special arrangement between Northern Ireland and the European Union, it would be unfair for Scotland not to have the same right and it would be unacceptable for Scotland to be placed at an economic disadvantage.”
Prominent Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has shown unease at the plans to keep EU rules during the transition period.
He told Sky News: "If the acquis, the ECJ and free movement remain we would not be in an implementation period but would still be de facto in the EU."
He added: "I assume that Her Majesty's Government will make its own proposals and not roll over in the way it did at the beginning of the process."
Here's the video from the Prime Minister's interview earlier this afternoon on Brexit talks.
Several Conservatives have reportedly tabled an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill this afternoon, which could kill off next week's row over putting the Brexit date on the front of the bill.
The PM is unlikely to want to repeat of Wednesday's embarrassing defeat, where 11 Tories rebelled against the Government over giving MPs a vote on the final Brexit deal.
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