Brexit news latest: EU negotiations hit crisis point with days left to reach deal as Downing St admits 'robust exchange of views'
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Your support makes all the difference.Downing Street has admitted that talks between cabinet ministers and EU officials have been “difficult” and saw a “robust exchange of views” – despite there being just days left to secure an agreement.
EU officials said the latest talks with Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, and Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, “did not go well”.
Mr Cox and Mr Barclay are seeking to allay fears that the backstop could leave the UK trapped in a customs union with the EU in a bid to win over Tory MPs ahead of further votes next week.
But the European Commission said there was still “no solution” to the impasse over the Irish backstop.
Meanwhile, the international trade secretary Liam Fox refused to rule out backing a no-deal Brexit if the Withdrawal Agreement is voted down by MPs next week.
It came as the issue of knife crime dominated clashes between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, following a series of fatal stabbings across the UK.
Ms May said “we cannot arrest our way out of the problem”, as the Labour leader criticised cuts to police budgets and the vast reduction in the number of officers.
Here's how the day unfolded:
A no-deal Brexit would force the UK to “submit” to Donald Trump rather than “taking back control” from the EU, experts have warned.
A new trade deal with the US would open up Britain’s health service, pharmaceutical industry and food market to American corporate interests, says Professor Alex de Ruyter at the Centre for Brexit Studies.
Here’s Chris Baynes with more:
Mayors and local government leaders from the UK and France are attending a meeting aimed at strengthening ties as the clock ticks down to Brexit.
French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau said “we are determined to maintain and deepen our bilateral relations”.
Leaders from the regions on both sides of the English Channel are expected to discuss how they intend to step up cooperation.
A reminder that the Jewish Labour Movement is holding a general meeting this evening to decide whether its affiliation with Labour should continue.
Held simultaneously in London and Manchester, the JLM will discuss whether to sever ties over the party’s handling of antisemitism.
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