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As it happenedended

Brexit today - as it happened: Theresa May says EU withdrawal is 'on course' but admits she is 'disappointed after parliamentary defeat

Tory rebels vote to give meaningful parliamentary vote on any final Brexit deal

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
Thursday 14 December 2017 03:14 EST
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Theresa May: ‘I’m disappointed with the amendment, but the EU withdrawal bill is making good progress’

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Theresa May has arrived in Brussels and is set to urge European leaders to officially approve an agreement to move Brexit talks onto the second phase.

But it comes after the Prime Minister faced an embarrassing defeat in the Commons on Wednesday on the Government’s Brexit legislation.

Asked about the defeat, inflicted after 11 of her own MPs defied her instructions to oppose the amendment, Ms May said the result was “disappointing” but insisted the legislation was still making good progress in the Commons.

“I'm disappointed with the amendment but actually the EU Withdrawal Bill is making good progress through the House of Commons and we're on course to deliver on Brexit,” she told reporters in Brussels.

At a dinner later this evening with the leaders of the EU 27, the Prime Minister will repeat her case for moving the talks on to trade negotiations, which she sees as crucial to offering certainty for businesses.

They are all but certain to approve the deal to move to “phase two” on Friday, after Ms May has Brussels, launching a new stage of talks that could be hampered by divisions at home and differences with the EU.

This liveblog is now closed, but you can see all of today’s developments in Westminster and Brussels below.

The Liberal Democrats have warned the Government is heading for another defeat (next Wednesday) if it insists on enshrining the Brexit date in law.

Tom Brake, the party's Brexit spokesperson, said:

“Theresa May needs to learn the lesson of last night’s defeat and announce that she is dropping her silly idea of enshrining the date of Brexit in law.

“Parliament has now shown it is not prepared to be bullied.

“There is no logical reason why ministers should want to tie their own hands. They should retain maximum flexibility to avoid a Conservative botched Brexit.

“Now parliament has demanded a vote we will also be pushing an amendment next week to give the people a vote on the final deal.

“As Brexit looks more economically damaging by the day, we must give the people the option of an exit from Brexit.”

Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:02

This is from the BBC's Home Affairs Correspondent:

Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:06
Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:11
Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:14
Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:28

The Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable is visiting Ireland where he will meet the Tánaiste & Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney.

Ahead of the visit, Vince Cable said:

“The Conservative government has so far botched Brexit, and amongst the people who stand to be most affected are those living on the island of Ireland.

“Even after the ‘divorce settlement’ and the agreement to proceed with trade talks, it is still unclear how a hard border will be averted.

“Audiences in Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland are being told different things. Many of the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement have been put at risk as a result.

“The unnecessary decision by the Conservatives to leave the Single Market and Customs Union was not mandated by the EU referendum. It is a miscalculation that will harm commerce between our countries. 

“Those economic ties are much stronger than is generally realised, given the Republic is the fifth biggest customer for UK exports and we are the second biggest market for Irish exports. 6,000 vehicles cross the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland every day.

“The confusion and ambiguity around the Irish border issue illustrates the problems ahead of us. There is, however, still time for the Conservatives to commit the UK to the Single Market and Customs Union – a strong government would make sure that continued membership of these economically advantageous arrangements was top of the agenda in Brexit talks. And there is still an opportunity either for a public vote, or for parliament, to stop a damaging Brexit.

“That’s why I’m visiting Ireland to meet leading figures in politics and business. I want the Irish people to know that they still have friends in the UK.”

Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:38
Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 11:54

Asked whether the Prime Minister agreed with the Archbishop of Canterbury (see 9.22am) a Downing Street spokesman said:

"The Government understands there are strong feelings on both sides, we continue to listen to views and move forward to secure the Brexit deal the country needs." 

Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 12:06
Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 12:22

This is from the FT's Brussels Correspondent. Luxembourg's PM says the EU will not renegotiate a deal with Britain if Parliament rejects the one on offer. 

Ashley Cowburn14 December 2017 12:32

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