As it happened: EU Withdrawal Bill debate resumes as Brussels hardens negotiating stance

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What is Article 50?

Brexit is firmly back on the agenda today after leaked papers revealed Brussels was hardening its negotiating stance with demands for a veto over future trade deals signed by the UK.

Senior EU officials said Brexit could still be reversed, with European Council president Donald Tusk telling Britain, "Our hearts are still open for you".

Boris Johnson has stirred up anger by returning to his widely discredited claim that leaving the European Union would allow Britain to claw back £350m a week for the NHS.

In a provocative interview, the Foreign Secretary admitted his claim had been wrong - as the true total was much higher at £438m.

The Government’s flagship Brexit bill returns to the Commons for its final stages, where opposition MPs will attempt to force the Government to protect devolution and EU regulations after Brexit.

Theresa May also chaired a meeting of her new-look Cabinet this morning, as the fallout from the collapse of construction giant Carillion continues.

Please see the live updates below

Key Points

• Senior EU officials insist Brexit can stopped, saying - 'Our hearts are still open for you'
• EU demands veto over UK trade deals with other countries for two years after Britain leaves
• Labour writes to the statistics watchdog after Boris Johnson claims Brexit can deliver even more than £350m a week
• Theresa May and Michael Gove mocked by European Parliament for claiming credit for EU ideas
• Former Carillion bosses face inquiry after protecting £4m bonuses

[16 January 2018 08:15 · Lizzy Buchan]

Welcome to The Independent's liveblog, where we will be bringing you the latest political stories throughout the day.

[16 January 2018 08:48 · Lizzy Buchan]

Brexit is firmly back on the agenda today with a number of key European figures due to make speeches today.

One of the stories driving the day is the leaked draft of member states’ directives to chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, which has been seen by The Independent.

Brussels will demand a veto over any trade deals signed by Britain during the Brexit transition period, in a new blow for Theresa May’s plan to make the UK a “great, global trading nation” after it leaves the EU, writes our Europe Correspondent Jon Stone.

Full story here:

[16 January 2018 09:01 · Lizzy Buchan]

Crisis-hit construction firm Carillion makes many of the front pages today and ministers are under pressure over why it awarded several lucrative contracts to the firm after it issued several profit warnings.

Carillion bosses now face an investigation into a “shameful” bid to protect their bonuses before the firm went bust, with the company’s collapse now threatening to turn into a major corporate scandal.

Story here:

[16 January 2018 09:02 · Lizzy Buchan]

[16 January 2018 09:06 · Lizzy Buchan]

European Council President Donald Tusk makes another plea for reversing Brexit, saying "Our hearts are still open for you".

His comments are particularly interesting compared to the European Commission, which is clearly planning to get tough in the next phase of talks.

[16 January 2018 09:14 · Lizzy Buchan]

Mr Tusk also demanded more clarity from Theresa May over her plans for Brexit in a speech to MEPs in Strasbourg.

He said: "If the UK Government sticks to its decision to leave, Brexit will become a reality - with all its negative consequences - in March next year unless there is a change of heart among our British friends.

"Wasn't it David Davis himself who said 'if a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy'?"

[16 January 2018 09:21 · Lizzy Buchan]

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has backed Donald Tusk, saying Britain could still change its mind on Brexit.

He told MEPs that he hoped Mr Tusk's message "will be heard clearly in London". 

Developing story here:

[16 January 2018 09:33 · Lizzy Buchan]

European Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt is making mischief on Twitter, where he mocks Theresa May and Michael Gove for nicking EU policies.

He also jokes that Ukip leader Nigel Farage has become "hugely disorientated" after meeting EU Brexit negotiator last week - prompting him to call for a second referendum.

[16 January 2018 09:39 · Lizzy Buchan]

Guy Vehofstadt is referring to a recent EU-wide directive to ban credit card fees, which the Government was promoting heavily at the weekend.

Here's our recent story on the row:

[16 January 2018 09:46 · Lizzy Buchan]

Guy Verhofstadt also said the situation over the colour of UK passports was a "whole hilarious thing", adding: "That was certainly not a reason to organise a referendum.

Mr Verhofstadt said the negotiations were now coming to the "most difficult part" and the withdrawal agreement must have "serious guarantees" on citizens' rights.

A transition deal could not be "cherry picking" and the latest version of the EU's negotiating directives made clear that "all the policies of the EU" would apply during a transition period but "Britain will not be represented any more in the institutions" in Brussels, he said.