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Brexit: EU leaders agree internal talks on trade with UK - politics live Brexit: EU leaders agree internal talks on trade with UK - politics live
(35 minutes later)
1.00pm BST
13:00
Here are the morning’s main developments:
The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said reports of a deadlock between the EU and the UK have been exaggerated and insisted there has been progress.
EU leaders have agreed to start internal discussions on their approach to the “second phase” - talks on trade and the transition to Brexit.
Theresa May said negotiators are going through how much Britain owes the EU in financial contributions line by line.
The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, told BBC Radio 4’s Today no deal would be “disastrous for the county”.
Mandelson also said Labour was in a strong position electorally but warned Jeremy Corbyn of the dangers of playing only to his base,
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Tusk said:
My impression is that the reports of the deadlock between the EU and the UK have been exaggerated. While progress has not been sufficient, it doesn’t mean there has been no progress at all.
The negotiations go on and we will continue to approach them positively and constructively. I hope that we will be able to move to the second phase of our talks in December...
I want to be the positive motivator for the next five or six weeks because our ambition is to achieve this, the final of the first phase in December. And for this we need also, maybe, more positive narrative ...
What was my feeling today, also during my meeting before our session, my tete-a-tete with Prime Minister Theresa May, I feel that, for sure, both sides present only goodwill, and this is why I, maybe, in my rhetoric, I’m, maybe, a little bit more optimistic than Michel Barnier, but we are also in a different role.
Michel Barnier is responsible for the negotiations, I am more responsible, first of all for our unity, but also for a good atmosphere and positive mood. This is the only difference.
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And here is Juncker
"I hate the 'no deal' scenario." @JunckerEU says no one wants #Brexit negotiations to end without a deal https://t.co/Z5xjc02Pv0 pic.twitter.com/aMUOzwD5pG
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The press conference has concluded but here is Tusk in optimistic mood:
"Both sides present only good will" @eucopresident Donald Tusk on his optimism about #Brexit talkshttps://t.co/Z5xjc02Pv0 pic.twitter.com/J69XyYmgIz
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Juncker says no-one from Britain has explained to him what a “no deal” looks like and he says no-one explained to the British people what Brexit would look like.
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Asked about European Chief Negotiator for Brexit Michele Barnier’s use of the expression “deadlock” last week, Tusk says this is not the best moment to discuss “rhetoric”. He wants to be positive, he says.
Both sides present only goodwill, he insists, although he concedes that he is maybe more optimistic
The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, makes a reference to the British press being “superficial”. He jokes - I think - that he might have used the expression “deadlock” four times instead of three. He adds:
I want to have a fair deal with Britain.
Juncker said he would “hate no deal”.
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Tusk said he hopes to move into the second phase of Brexit talks in December. He said Theresa May’s Florence speech had given the talks some momentum.
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'Deadlock exaggerated' - Tusk
The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk is speaking in Brussels now. He says reports of a deadlock between the EU and the UK have been exaggerated and insists there has been progress.The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk is speaking in Brussels now. He says reports of a deadlock between the EU and the UK have been exaggerated and insists there has been progress.
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Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
Video of the prime minister’s press conference can now be viewed online:Video of the prime minister’s press conference can now be viewed online:
📽️ UK Prime Minister @Number10gov Theresa May held a press conference following European Council #EUCO. | VIDEO ⬇️https://t.co/xYXmX0aQka📽️ UK Prime Minister @Number10gov Theresa May held a press conference following European Council #EUCO. | VIDEO ⬇️https://t.co/xYXmX0aQka
12.08pm BST12.08pm BST
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Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, Debbie Abrahams, has responded to Iain Duncan Smith’s defence of Universal Credit on this morning’s edition of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, Debbie Abrahams, has responded to Iain Duncan Smith’s defence of Universal Credit on this morning’s edition of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
In particular, she has attacked his claim that 60% of people going on to Universal Credit were carrying debts accrued as a result of problems with the tax credit regime.In particular, she has attacked his claim that 60% of people going on to Universal Credit were carrying debts accrued as a result of problems with the tax credit regime.
Those struggling to keep their heads above water on the government’s disastrous Universal Credit full service won’t appreciate a history lesson from the man responsible for much of this mess.Those struggling to keep their heads above water on the government’s disastrous Universal Credit full service won’t appreciate a history lesson from the man responsible for much of this mess.
The former work and pensions secretary’s claims have been disproved by the DWP’s own statistics, which show that half of those in rent arrears under Universal Credit went into arrears after staring their claim.The former work and pensions secretary’s claims have been disproved by the DWP’s own statistics, which show that half of those in rent arrears under Universal Credit went into arrears after staring their claim.
I would also like to gently remind him that Labour’s tax credits improved the lives of millions of families, making work pay and helping to lift over a million children out of poverty, rather than exacerbating the problem as the emaciated Universal Credit system is predicted to do.I would also like to gently remind him that Labour’s tax credits improved the lives of millions of families, making work pay and helping to lift over a million children out of poverty, rather than exacerbating the problem as the emaciated Universal Credit system is predicted to do.
Regardless, the admission by Mr Duncan Smith that there are high levels of debt under Universal Credit is surely enough for him to back our calls for a pause and fix. A call supported by the House of Commons in a unanimous vote.Regardless, the admission by Mr Duncan Smith that there are high levels of debt under Universal Credit is surely enough for him to back our calls for a pause and fix. A call supported by the House of Commons in a unanimous vote.
11.36am BST11.36am BST
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Yet more on the presentational issues associated with Theresa May’s appearance in Brussels:Yet more on the presentational issues associated with Theresa May’s appearance in Brussels:
May: I'll take a question from some of our European colleagues?British voice. "We're all European"LaughterMay: I'll take a question from some of our European colleagues?British voice. "We're all European"Laughter
11.15am BST11.15am BST
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It has been speculated that Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron’s decision to walk to the summit chamber with Theresa May yesterday was intended as a public show of support for her and an attempt to avoid the emergence of more damaging images that appear to cast the prime minister as a lonely figure in Brussels.It has been speculated that Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron’s decision to walk to the summit chamber with Theresa May yesterday was intended as a public show of support for her and an attempt to avoid the emergence of more damaging images that appear to cast the prime minister as a lonely figure in Brussels.
Some are still left wondering if her team has quite mastered the optics, however.Some are still left wondering if her team has quite mastered the optics, however.
One of these days, No10 will manage to come away from one of these summits without a picture of May on her own looking sad. pic.twitter.com/00eCFyd6IBOne of these days, No10 will manage to come away from one of these summits without a picture of May on her own looking sad. pic.twitter.com/00eCFyd6IB
Perhaps this is more the shot they were hoping for:Perhaps this is more the shot they were hoping for:
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at 11.34am BSTat 11.34am BST
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The final question from journalists is on Catalonia. What advice does May have for the region’s leadership?The final question from journalists is on Catalonia. What advice does May have for the region’s leadership?
May sidesteps that, saying she has spoken to the Spanish prime minister and the country’s law and constitution must be respected. The Spanish courts had ruled Catalonia’s independence referendum unconstitutional prior to it being held.May sidesteps that, saying she has spoken to the Spanish prime minister and the country’s law and constitution must be respected. The Spanish courts had ruled Catalonia’s independence referendum unconstitutional prior to it being held.
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May is asked when she will be able to put a number on it.May is asked when she will be able to put a number on it.
She says it will “come as part of the final agreement”, without putting a date on it.She says it will “come as part of the final agreement”, without putting a date on it.
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The prime minister is asked if the bill could go as high as €60bn.The prime minister is asked if the bill could go as high as €60bn.
She responds that she has been very clear in saying the government will go through the financial contribution proposals “line by line”.She responds that she has been very clear in saying the government will go through the financial contribution proposals “line by line”.
10.54am BST10.54am BST
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The next question refers to the December talks: is May willing to give further detail in order to get talks moving?The next question refers to the December talks: is May willing to give further detail in order to get talks moving?
The prime minister rather sidesteps the question, saying she is “positive and optimistic about where we can get to”.The prime minister rather sidesteps the question, saying she is “positive and optimistic about where we can get to”.
10.52am BST10.52am BST
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May is asked about the money to be paid by the UK - has the quantity increased? She says nothing has changed from her Florence speech.May is asked about the money to be paid by the UK - has the quantity increased? She says nothing has changed from her Florence speech.
May says negotiators are going through how much Britain owes the EU in financial contributions line by lineMay says negotiators are going through how much Britain owes the EU in financial contributions line by line
May doesn't deny that she has told other leaders privately that she'd be willing to pay many billions more than the initial 20 billionMay doesn't deny that she has told other leaders privately that she'd be willing to pay many billions more than the initial 20 billion
But she certainly doesnt confirm it either! Rests on the 'we'll go through line by line' answer ....But she certainly doesnt confirm it either! Rests on the 'we'll go through line by line' answer ....
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at 10.55am BSTat 10.55am BST
10.51am BST10.51am BST
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On Brexit, May says the EU and UK “share the same objective” of protecting the rights of EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU.On Brexit, May says the EU and UK “share the same objective” of protecting the rights of EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU.
May says the Belfast agreement must be at the heart of the approach, that the peace process must not be affected and that there must be no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.May says the Belfast agreement must be at the heart of the approach, that the peace process must not be affected and that there must be no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
10.49am BST10.49am BST
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Theresa May is opening her delayed press conference. She says she looks forward to working with the EU in the future.Theresa May is opening her delayed press conference. She says she looks forward to working with the EU in the future.
The EU leaders also discussed foreign policy, May says, adding that they reiterate their “firm commitment” to the Iran nuclear deal. She also condemns North Korea and specifically names China as a nation that must help deal with the issue.The EU leaders also discussed foreign policy, May says, adding that they reiterate their “firm commitment” to the Iran nuclear deal. She also condemns North Korea and specifically names China as a nation that must help deal with the issue.