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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

Labour's Alison McGovern raises the new memorial grants in Jo Cox's name, where funds will be given to women in developing countries.

May hails the achievement and said Jo was "a dedicated campaigner".

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:51

Now for a recap on Donald Tusk's press conference, where the European Council President rejected Theresa May's Brexit terms.

Tusk said the proposals on the future relationship showed "we do not want to build a wall between the EU and Britain" after Brexit.

He said: "On the contrary, the UK will be our closest neighbour and we want to remain friends and partners after Brexit - partners that are as close as possible, just like we have said from the very first day after the referendum."

Tusk said that no member state is "free to pick only those sectors of the single market it likes, nor to accept the rule of the ECJ only when it suits their interests.

"By the same token, a pick and mix approach for a non-member state is out of the question. We are not going to sacrifice these principles. It is simply not in our interests."

Here's our story:

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:57

Back in Parliament, Lib Dem leader Vince Cable asks why a "medieval, dictatorial" royal - Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman - is being given the red carpet treatment in the UK.

Prince Salman is understood to have arrived, and is currently at Buckingham Palace where he is having lunch with the Queen.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:02

The European Union is planning to levy tariffs on imports of US whiskey, peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice in retaliation for Donald Trump’s promised new imposts on steel imports, the Brussels trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom has confirmed.

​Story here:

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:06

Here's the full story on Corbyn's attack on Saudi Arabia during PMQ's from my colleague Rob Merrick.

Jeremy Corbyn claimed Britain is “directing the war” being waged by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, as he clashed with Theresa May before her controversial meeting with the country’s crown prince.

The Prime Minister was accused of “colluding in what the United Nations say is evidence of war crimes”, in fierce clashes over Britain’s close links with the oil-rich kingdom.

The Labour leader urged her to use the meeting – the start of a three-day state visit in all but name – to “halt the arms supplies and demand an immediate ceasefire in Yemen”. 

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:20

The Queen has held an audience with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, the palace has confirmed.

Mohammad bin Salman met the monarch in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace, ahead of a lunch at the London residence. The Duke of York was also present for luncheon.

The crown prince - known as MBS - is on a controversial three-day visit to the UK which looks set to be dominated by protests over his country's role in the bloody civil war in Yemen.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:25
Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:31

Here's an interesting take on the complexities of Prince Salman's visit from Robert Fisk.

Read his column here:

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:42

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:49

Downing Street stressed that the guidance drawn up by Donald Tusk was a draft text which had not been formally published.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We look forward to seeing the final guidelines when published and hope they will provide the flexibility to allow the EU to think creatively and imaginatively about our future economic partnership."

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 13:54

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