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As it happenedended

Brexit - as it happened: Philip Hammond challenges Brussels over City deal as EU warns against 'pick and mix' approach

All the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 07 March 2018 04:51 EST
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Jeremy Corbyn accuses UK of 'directing' war in Yemen

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Theresa May vowed to challenge Saudi Arabia over its human rights record and its role in the Yemeni conflict as the Crown Prince flew into London for a high-profile visit.

Widespread protests greeted Mohammad bin Salman, the powerful heir to the throne, who received the red-carpet treatment on the first day of his trip, including meetings with the Queen, other senior royals and top ministers.

But the visit prompted stern criticism from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during Prime Minister's Questions, where Ms May also made her first public comments on the poisoning of Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

European Council President Donald Tusk also published the EU's draft guidelines, rejecting the terms laid out by the Prime Minister in her Mansion House speech last week.

Chancellor Philip Hammond also made a speech to city bosses in London, where he insisted that a Brexit deal including financial services was possible.

See below for the latest updates

Amber Rudd has left the Cobra meeting and told reporters "we do know more about the substance" used in the Salisbury spy incident.

She says police will reveal more details this afternoon.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 11:57

Breaking news from Brussels, where the EU has rejected Theresa May's vision for post-Brexit trade relationship with the UK, laying out its own plans and warning that her choices will have "negative economic consequences" for Britain.

In draft negotiating guidelines unveiled on Wednesday, the bloc rules out the "mutual recognition" of standards between the UK and EU as proposed by the Prime Minister.

Here's the latest:

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 11:59

PMQs has begun.

Theresa May kicks off with the Salisbury spy incident, saying she attended a meeting of the National Security Committee yesterday and is being updated on the latest developments.

Amber Rudd chaired Cobra this morning and has asked the police to give a statement this afternoon.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:03

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn thanks emergency and security officials for their response to the apparent poisoning of Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

He goes on the attack about the 'shocking abuse of human rights' in Saudi Arabia and tells the PM to raise it with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman later today.

He reminds the PM that its International Women's Day and raises the rights of women in the Middle Eastern Kingdom.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:06

PM hits back with an unexpectedly good joke, where she tells Corbyn he is 'mansplaining by telling her its International Women's Day. She says it is important that he will be in the UK as the guest of a female PM, and reiterates the importance of relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The gag goes down well with watching journalists:

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:08

Corbyn says its time to halt all arm sales to Saudi Arabia and demands an immediate ceasefire during the bloody conflict in Yemen. Some 600,000 children have cholera, he says. He also asks about a report into extremism links with Riyadh, which he claims the Government is suppressing. 

May says Government is committed to stamping out extremism and claims she has raised the importance of humanitarian aid. She says 'we are all concerned about the appalling humanitarian situation in Yemen'.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:14

Corbyn shifts to homelessness and asks what the Government is doing on rough sleeping.

PM, who gave a speech on this earlier in the week, says the Government will eliminate homelessness by 2027. She says mental health is a key issue.

Corbyn also raises the homelessness taskforce, which was announced during the Budget last year. It only met for the first time today, May says.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:16

Corbyn says many people are embarrassed and upset by the scourge of rough sleeping. He says Government cuts have contributed to that.

May defends the long wait for a meeting and says meetings are not the only way to get it done. She says it 'isn't about figures, it's about people' and making sure everyone gets the help they need.

Corbyn describes the crisis as a "national shame" but May insists that the Tories are the only party trying to sort it out. She quotes Corbyn and says Labour's record is one of 'misery and despair'.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:19

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford repeats his concerns about bank closures about RBS.

PM says it is a 'commercial matter' and its up to customers to decide where to bank. 

Blackford says RBS is owned by the taxpayer and says it is 'outrageous' that the bank is trying to close smaller branches.

May says he's raised this point before and the Government takes steps to help people when banks close. It is not right that the Government should tell people where to bank - she says.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:24

Scottish Tory Kirstene Hair asks a predictable question about the SNP-led Scottish Government taxation decisions and says the Tories are trying to 'clean up their mess'.

PM agrees with her.

Labour MP Louise Ellman asks about child poverty, saying the Government is plunging 37 per cent of children into austerity.

May says there are actually fewer children living in poverty.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:27

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