Brexit today - as it happened: Guy Verhofstadt hopes to 'conclude' citizens rights issue in coming weeks after Theresa May meeting

Guy Verhofstadt: Confirming citizen's rights is a priority

Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator, has said he hopes the issue of citizens' rights after Brexit can be concluded in the coming weeks.

His comments came after a meeting with senior ministers and Theresa May in Downing Street on Tuesday, in which “useful” progress had been made.

Mr Verhofstadt also said the UK economy will benefit from sticking as closely as possible to EU rules after Brexit.

He told reporters outside Downing Street: “I think it's possible that in the coming days and weeks we make progress on this [citizens' rights] we can conclude.”

But he warned that the European Parliament will not accept any deal on citizens’ rights that involves discrimination against people who come to the UK during the transition period.

Earlier on Tuesday, the French economy minister Bruno Le Marie said there had to be a “good deal” with the UK, but the City of London and the financial sector would have to rely on an equivalence regime.

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On the topic of Sergey Skripal, the PM’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “At a meeting of the National Security Council this afternoon, the PM and senior ministers were updated on the ongoing investigation in Salisbury, which is now being led by counter terrorism police.

“The council followed a meeting of senior government officials from across Whitehall earlier today.”

A number of people spoke at the meeting in the Cabinet Room, including the Prime Minister and senior ministers.

The spokesman refused to be drawn any further on the matter, saying: “This is an ongoing investigation and it’s important not to prejudge the facts and to let the police get on with their work.”