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As it happenedended

Theresa May Brexit statement: PM demands new ideas from Brussels after EU rejects her plans - as it happened

As it happened...

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
Friday 21 September 2018 08:55 EDT
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Theresa May on Brexit deal: 'no-one wants a good deal more than me'

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Theresa May has demanded new proposals from the EU to break the Brexit impasse after European leaders dismissed her Chequers proposals as unworkable.

In an unexpected statement from Downing Street, Ms May said both sides "remain a long way apart" but she was committed to getting a good deal.

She said she has "treated the EU with nothing but respect'' and "the UK expects the same'', adding: "A good relationship at the end of this process depends on it.''

Ms May has come under mounting pressure to abandon her Chequers plan after it was widely criticised by EU leaders and many of her own Eurosceptic MPs.

As it happened...

Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 14:34

The Liberal Democrats have called on Theresa May to recall Parliament. The party's Brexit spokesperson, Tom Brake, said:

“The prime minister has had the most humiliating European summit in recent memory and returned with a tattered Chequers deal, making a no-deal Brexit more likely than ever.

“Two years down the line and the only consensus the PM has made across Parliament and the EU is that Chequers is unworkable.

“Instead of pontificating to television cameras, May must now recall Parliament to explain how she got the country into this terrible mess, what her plan is to get us out of it, and when we can have a people’s vote and an exit from Brexit.”

Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 14:41

Jeremy Corbyn has responded to Theresa May's statement and accused both the government and the EU of playing "political games". The Labour leader said:

“Theresa May’s Brexit negotiating strategy has been a disaster. The Tories have spent more time arguing among themselves than negotiating with the EU.

“From day one, the prime minister has looked incapable of delivering a good Brexit deal for Britain.

“The political games from both the EU and our government need to end because no deal is not an option.”

Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 14:51

After the Lib Dems calls for Theresa May to recall Parliament, the Lords Speaker has rejected a request from Labour peer Lord Adonis for the Lords to be recalled to discuss Brexit.

Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 15:15
Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 15:27

International development secretary Penny Mordaunt has said that she believes the public would be "content" to leave the EU without a deal.

She tweeted: "Speaking to constituents today, it is clear that EU's behaviour in recent days is increasing support for us leaving the EU.

"People still want a deal but content to go without one, even folk who voted remain. Important statement from PM re rights for EU migrants in a no deal scenario."

Lizzy Buchan21 September 2018 16:00

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has said the Chequers plan is now "dead as a Dodo".

He tweeted: "The Chequers plan, dead as a Dodo but killed in London by Tory fundamentalists not in Salzburg.

"Instead of petulance just accept that red lines need redrawing to stay in customs union."

Lizzy Buchan21 September 2018 16:10

Theresa May's DUP allies have told her to stand firm in the face of "disrespectful, intransigent and disgraceful behaviour" by the EU.

Party leader Arlene Foster said: "The Prime Minister is right to stand firm in the face of disrespectful, intransigent and disgraceful behaviour by the European Union.  The United Kingdom will not be treated in such a manner.

I welcome today’s clear statement by the Prime Minister and in particular that Her Majesty’s Government will not countenance any new regulatory or customs barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.  

As per Article 50 of the Joint Report, any new regulatory barrier would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly where the DUP would veto any attempt to undermine the economic or constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.  

Our red line from day one of these negotiations has been that there can be no border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.  We continue our intensive work with the Government to ensure that we leave the EU in a manner which protects the constitutional and economic integrity of United Kingdom and enables us to take back control of our laws, borders and money."

Lizzy Buchan21 September 2018 16:26

Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, says the EU's response to Theresa May has increased public support for Brexit and people's willingness to leave without a deal...

Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 16:43

That's all for today's live coverage - don't forget to join us tomorrow when we'll be bringing you all the latest updates as Labour prepare for their annual conference in Liverpool.

Kristin Hugo21 September 2018 17:12

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