Brexit - live: Reports deal is close should be taken 'with bucket of salt', Number 10 says

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Ex-prime minister Gordon Brown believes there will be a second referendum

Downing Street has dismissed reports that a Brexit deal is close, saying any suggestion of an imminent agreement should be taken with "a bucket of salt".

It came after claims that Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, had told EU ministers that "the parameters of a possible agreement are very largely defined".

Earlier, Downing Street revealed that officials had been locked in negotiations until 2.45am on Monday morning as Theresa May scrambles to secure an agreement this week.

Key Points

Gordon Brown predicts fresh referendum will be needed to break Brexit deadlock

[12 November 2018 08:37 · Benjamin Kentish]

Welcome to today's live coverage from Westminster at the beginning of a crucial week for Theresa May's hopes of securing a Brexit deal.

[12 November 2018 08:51 · Benjamin Kentish]

Boris Johnson has accused Theresa May of "total surrender" to the EU over Brexit as he urged the Cabinet to launch a "mutiny".

In his weekly Telegraph column, the former foreign secretary said the prime minister's plan would reduce the UK to the status of a colony and see the country "remain in captivity".

He wrote:

"The awful truth is that even if the Cabinet mutinies - as they ought - it will make little difference.

"Even if we agree with the EU that the UK must have a unilateral break clause, so that we can go our own sweet way at a time of our own choosing, it is irrelevant because the programme and ambition of the Government is to remain in captivity, to stay in our cell, even if we are given the theoretical key to escape."

[12 November 2018 09:12 · Benjamin Kentish]

Brexit timetable thrown into chaos as Theresa May is forced to cancel planned Cabinet meeting 

[12 November 2018 09:36 · Benjamin Kentish]

France's Europe minister, Nathalie Loiseau, has said any proposal that would give the UK the right to unilaterally withdraw from a customs backstop is unacceptable to the EU.

Speaking as she arrived in Brussels for a meeting with Michel Barnier and other EU foreign ministers, she said:

"The ball is in the British court. It is a question of a British political decision."

 "I have no crystal ball unfortunately. We are determined, we are committed to find a good deal. We know that it is better than a no-deal."

She added:

"If you have any sort of temporary arrangement, this needs to be a bilateral decision from the EU27 and the UK at the same time, and we have to know at that moment what sort of solution there is for the Irish border."

[12 November 2018 09:55 · Benjamin Kentish]

Spanish prime minister calls for second Brexit referendum 

[12 November 2018 10:21 · Benjamin Kentish]

The European Council has released a statement after EU27 foreign ministers met with chief negotiator Michel Barnier. It says:

"Michel Barnier explained that intense negotiating efforts continue, but an agreement has not been reached yet.

"Some key issues remain under discussion, in particular a solution to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"During the meeting, ministers however also recalled the need to continue the work at all levels on preparations for every possible scenario."

[12 November 2018 10:39 · Benjamin Kentish]

Labour is embroiled in a fresh Brexit row after Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, directly contradicted Jeremy Corbyn over whether Brexit can be stopped.

[12 November 2018 11:10 · Benjamin Kentish]

Former education secretary Justine Greening has said she knows of other Remain-supporting ministers who are considering resigning over Brexit.

It comes after Jo Johnson quit as a transport minister in order to speak out against Theresa May's Brexit plan...

[12 November 2018 11:48 · Benjamin Kentish]

Brexit talks between UK and EU officials continued until 2.45am this morning, Downing Street has said.

Theresa May's spokesman told the morning briefing for Westminster journalists:

"We have made good progress in the negotiations in relation to the withdrawal agreement but there are substantial issues still to be overcome in relation to the Northern Irish backstop.

"That remains the case. The talks are ongoing."

"We want to make to progress as quickly as possible in these negotiations but we have also said that cannot be at any cost. That remains the position."

[12 November 2018 12:12 · Benjamin Kentish]

BREAKING: Lord Lester faces a four-year suspension from the House of Lords over alleged sexual harassment. If confirmed, it would be the longest suspension since the Second World War....