Brexit today – as it happened: EU leaders give Theresa May the go ahead to move to second phase of talks

Follow the latest updates here

Donald Tusk: 'We need some more clarity on how the UK sees our future relations'

European leaders have formally agreed to move to the next stage of the Brexit negotiations after deeming “sufficient progress” has been made on key issues.

It now provides Theresa May with the green light to discuss “transitional arrangements” with the EU 27 and the overall framework for the future relationship.

Announcing the breakthrough at a news conference, the European Commission President Donald Tusk also said “congratulations” to the Prime Minister on the new progress.

After meeting with her EU counterparts on Thursday, Ms May flew back to the UK in the evening after attending the EU summit, where she spoke over dinner of her wish to move to the next stage of the talks.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the applause came because “some of us felt, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised”.

Back in her constituency on Friday, Ms May declared she is “well on the road” to delivering Brexit after the crucial agreement was formally reached.

She said Britain would be “beginning the talks about our future relationship straight away”, adding: “There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure.”

This liveblog is now closed but you can see Friday’s developments below.

Key Points

• EU leaders approve move to next phase - as Donald Tusk tweets 'Congratulations Theresa May'
• David Davis faces an investigation for spending £50,000 on RAF flights to Europe
• PM says the UK is "well on the road" to Brexit
• Theresa May accepts EU plan to postpone real trade talks until March
• UK to continue involvement in Erasmus student exchange programme until at least 2020

[15 December 2017 08:48 · Lizzy Buchan]

Welcome to The Independent's Brexit liveblog, where we will be following the developments in Brussels throughout the day.

European leaders are holding key talks on the second day of the European Council summit and Brexit is top of the agenda.

Theresa May received a round of applause from senior EU politicians at a dinner last night where she accepted EU plans to postpone trade talks until March.

But she will be praying she has done enough to move the Brexit talks onto the next phase.

[15 December 2017 08:58 · Lizzy Buchan]

[15 December 2017 09:10 · Lizzy Buchan]

The PM's appearance at the summit came shortly after Tory rebels inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the Government on its flagship Brexit legislation.

The EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which is going through line-by-line scrutiny in the Commons, will transfer EU law onto the domestic statute books after Brexit.

But unlikely rebel Dominic Grieve - a former attorney general - masterminded a push to ensure MPs had a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal.

Some of the Brexit 'mutineers' told The Independent's political editor Joe Watts why they put country before party.

[15 December 2017 09:22 · Lizzy Buchan]

Students may be pleased to know that the UK will continue to participate in the EU Erasmus programme until at least the end of 2020.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the popular student exchange programme would endure, telling EU leaders that the 30-year-old programme had provided invaluable experiences for students and staff.

Participation in the scheme beyond that date is a matter for negotiation as part of upcoming talks on the post-Brexit UK/EU relationship, and it is thought possible Britain may try to maintain its involvement.

Speaking at the summit, Ms May said: "I welcome the opportunity to provide clarity to young people and the education sector and reaffirm our commitment to the deep and special relationship we want to build with the EU."

[15 December 2017 09:33 · Lizzy Buchan]

The Government defeat reveals the majority in the House of Commons for a soft Brexit, according to political commentator John Rentoul.

He reckons the scare stories have stopped working and MPs supporting a soft exit from the EU are increasingly looking at delaying the Brexit date.

Here is his take on the Commons defeat:

[15 December 2017 09:48 · Lizzy Buchan]

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has spoken to journalists as he arrived for the second day of the summit.

He was muted about the next phase of talks, saying: "The second phase is considerably harder than the first, and the first was very hard."

Mr Juncker said that EU leaders gave the PM a round of applause "because some of us thought, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised".

He said that the Withdrawal Agreement now needed to be formalised and placed before the European Parliament, adding: "Then, we will start negotiations on future relations as soon as possible."

He added: "It is a difficult process and I'm still sad that our British friends are leaving the European Union."

Asked whether he thought the UK may reverse its decision to leave, Mr Juncker said: "That depends on the British Parliament and the British people. It's not up to us to decide what the British people want."

[15 December 2017 09:59 · Lizzy Buchan]

Interesting detail from The Sun's political editor on PM's dinner in Brussels last night.

During the dinner, leaders were served roasted langoustines followed by a main course of capon and a dessert of festive log "with a twist" - whatever that means...

[15 December 2017 10:12 · Lizzy Buchan]

[15 December 2017 10:27 · Lizzy Buchan]

Meanwhile back on this side of the Channel, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is getting into a row with the Scottish Daily Mail for mixing up its Christmas films in today's splash.

Ms Sturgeon has been mocked up as the Grinch by the paper, which is critical of SNP plans to raise taxes in the latest Scottish Government budget.

The Dr Seuss character does not feature in Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'.

[15 December 2017 10:48 · Lizzy Buchan]