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As it happenedended1512406971

Brexit - live updates: No deal in Brussels on Irish border or other major issues today, says Jean-Claude Juncker

Follow the latest news from Brussels, Westminster and Northern Ireland

Jon Sharman,Ashley Cowburn,Lizzy Buchan
Monday 04 December 2017 09:46 GMT
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Theresa May arrives at the European Commission for talks on Ireland border and trade negotiations

Theresa May has failed to strike a deal with Brussels that would allow Britain to unlock Brexit trade talks with the EU.

The Prime Minister had hoped to convince European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker that enough progress had been made to move on from the first phase of talks, which hinged on progress on issues including citizens rights, the so-called divorce bill and the Irish border

In a joint press conference after their lunch meeting, Mr Juncker said it was "not possible to reach a complete agreement today" but acknowledged that "significant progress" had been made.

Both leaders declared they were "confident" that a solution could be found in time for a crunch European Council summit on December 14.

But Ms May faces trouble ahead, as a leaked document outlining plans to keep Northern Ireland in the customs union to prevent a hard border prompted outrage among her allies in the Democratic Unionist Party.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called for Scotland to have remain in the single market, if Northern Ireland was permitted to do so, while Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and London mayor Sadiq Khan also piled in to demand bespoke deals.

Also today, Brexit Secretary David Davis leads a committee stage debate on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill – which would transfer EU law onto British statute books.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

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Welcome to our live blog of Theresa May's visit to Brussels and all the other Brexit developments due today.

Jon Sharman4 December 2017 08:52
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Jon Sharman4 December 2017 09:21
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According to Donald Tusk's official schedule, his meeting with Theresa May will take place at 3pm UK time.

Jon Sharman4 December 2017 09:51
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A senior German MEP has spoken out on what he believes is yet to be achieved in Brexit negotiations,

Manfred Weber, leader of the European Parliament's centre-right EPP Group, tweeted: "In #Brexit negotiations, money is one of the problems, but it is not the biggest one

"We are much more concerned about the fact that negotiations are stalled on the protection of EU citizens' rights & on the Irish case.

"We will not change our red lines. The lives of millions of families are at stake. If no clear commitment is made, the @EPPGroup will not be ready to assess the progress made as sufficient to enter a 2nd phase of negotiations."

Jon Sharman4 December 2017 10:24
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Jon Sharman4 December 2017 10:34
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Jon Sharman4 December 2017 10:41
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In the tweet below, according to reports, Mr Verhofstadt and his team were emphasising that MEPs are still seeking clarity on the role of the European Court of Justice in upholding EU citizens' rights in the UK, and the position of the Irish Government.

Jon Sharman4 December 2017 10:46
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Brexit Secretary David Davis, speaking in Brussels, has said: "We have put seven months of work, both sides, into getting to this point and we are hoping that Mr Juncker today will give us sufficient progress so we can move on to trade talks.

"The decision, of course, won't be taken until the 15th of December, but that's what we are hoping for. Because trade talks are of enormous importance to the United Kingdom and to Europe.

"It's an important day. Everybody understands that the decision to move on to trade talks is vital."

Mr Davis laughed when asked if the PM's intervention meant he was struggling to get the job done, adding: "The first negotiator in this process from the beginning has been the Prime Minister.

"She laid out the parameters in the Lancaster House speech. She reset the negotiations at the Florence speech. That's all done in conjunction together."

PA​

Jon Sharman4 December 2017 11:15
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Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's chief negotiator, has said no deal has been reached on the terms of the UK's withdrawal and the chances of getting a deal are 50-50.

Jon Sharman4 December 2017 11:16
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Jon Sharman4 December 2017 11:34

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