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Brexit: Leaders of eight European countries call for new referendum on UK's withdrawal from EU Brexit: Leaders of eight European countries call for new referendum on UK's withdrawal from EU
(35 minutes later)
Leaders of eight European countries have called for a further referendum for the British public on the final Brexit deal, in a dramatic intervention in the negotiations.Leaders of eight European countries have called for a further referendum for the British public on the final Brexit deal, in a dramatic intervention in the negotiations.
As Theresa May arrived in Brussels for a crucial EU summit, a group of European prime ministers issue a joint statement calling for the UK Government to allow voters a say on the final terms of the Brexit agreement. As Theresa May arrived in Brussels for a crucial EU summit, a group of European prime ministers issued a joint statement calling for the UK Government to allow voters a say on the final terms of the Brexit agreement.
It comes after the group, which includes leaders from the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark and Belgium, held a meeting on the margins of the summit with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, whose pro-European party has been pushing for a re-think on the vote to leave the European Union. The move came after leaders from countries including the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark and Belgium, held a meeting on the margins of the summit with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, whose pro-European party has been pushing for a second referendum.
The eight prime ministers said: “We regret Brexit, but acknowledge the choice made by British voters for the UK Government to negotiate withdrawal.The eight prime ministers said: “We regret Brexit, but acknowledge the choice made by British voters for the UK Government to negotiate withdrawal.
“We further acknowledge and support the Liberal Democrats’ call for the British people to have the final say on the Brexit deal.“We further acknowledge and support the Liberal Democrats’ call for the British people to have the final say on the Brexit deal.
“All parties need to seek a broad deal accommodating both the position of the UK government and the principles on which the European Union is built.”“All parties need to seek a broad deal accommodating both the position of the UK government and the principles on which the European Union is built.”
Sir Vince said the statement offered a "clear signal" that the EU would "welcome an exit from Brexit with open arms".Sir Vince said the statement offered a "clear signal" that the EU would "welcome an exit from Brexit with open arms".
“Polls show that there is a growing desire among the British public for a vote on the terms of the deal. People can now be reassured that there is no desire among EU leaders to punish us if we decided to remain in the bloc," he said.“Polls show that there is a growing desire among the British public for a vote on the terms of the deal. People can now be reassured that there is no desire among EU leaders to punish us if we decided to remain in the bloc," he said.
“The message is clear: Brexit is not inevitable. “The message is clear: Brexit is not inevitable. 
“Trump is expected to back down from trade sanctions on Europe - this shows the negotiating power of sticking together with EU member states. The throwaway phrase of ‘going it alone’ is a nonsense.”“Trump is expected to back down from trade sanctions on Europe - this shows the negotiating power of sticking together with EU member states. The throwaway phrase of ‘going it alone’ is a nonsense.”
The intervention comes as the Prime Minister travelled to Brussels for the European Council summit, where she will urge other European leaders to unite against Russia's "reckless and brazen" nerve agent attack in Salisbury, and consider a response to rising US trade protectionism. The intervention comes as the Prime Minister travelled to Brussels for the European Council summit, where she urged other European leaders to unite against Russia's "reckless and brazen" nerve agent attack in Salisbury.
More follows... Leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations are expected to rubber-stamp plans for a Brexit transition deal - as agreed by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier - and pave the way for talks of the future trading relationship.
  
Arriving at the summit, Ms May struck an optimistic note, adding: "We made considerable progress through the agreement on the implementation period, which will bring certainty to businesses and people.
"I look forward to the European Council endorsing that agreement and moving on swiftly to talk about the future partnership that we all want to build together."