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As it happenedended1521482057

Brexit - as it happened: David Davis hails 'significant step' as UK and EU strike draft transition deal

All the latest updates on the Brexit talks, as it happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Monday 19 March 2018 14:30 EDT
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Michel Barnier has said there has been a 'decisive step' towards the UK's withdrawal from the European Union

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Brexit Secretary David Davis has hailed a "significant step" in negotiations as the EU and the UK agreed the terms of a transition period after Britain leaves the bloc.

Speaking alongside his EU counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels, Mr Davis said the Britain would be allowed to sign its own trade deals during the transition but conceded that it would allow full free movement rights for EU citizens who arrive during the period.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also won support from EU leaders on a visit to Brussels after accusing Russia of breaching international law by secretly stockpiling a deadly nerve agent used in the Salisbury attack.

It comes as international inspectors arrived in the UK to examine samples used in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, which ministers believe contain a Russian-made agent known as Novichok.

See below for live updates

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The architect of the Good Friday Agreement has warned that Theresa May’s failure to deal with problems posed by Northern Ireland’s border, threatens to bring Brexit negotiations “crashing down”.

Writing exclusively for The Independent, Jonathan Powell accused the Prime Minister of committing “the worst possible sin” of having “boxed herself in”.

Story here: 

Lizzy Buchan19 March 2018 17:38
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Lizzy Buchan19 March 2018 17:44
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Trade bodies and business groups have broadly welcomed what’s being dubbed a decisive step in Brexit negotiations that has led to an agreement over the terms of a transition period after the UK formerly leaves the trading bloc next year.

Story here: 

Lizzy Buchan19 March 2018 17:45
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That's it for The Independent's liveblog for the day. Thanks for following!

Lizzy Buchan19 March 2018 17:49

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