Brexit - as it happened: Theresa May reiterates opposition to Donald Trump's Jerusalem move during phone call
All the latest updates from Westminster throughout Tuesday
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Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to The Independent’s politics liveblog. Theresa May has spoken with Donald Trump about his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the need for a "swift" bilateral trade deal after Brexit.
Earlier, she met her full Cabinet and ministers set our their own visions for the UK’s relationship with the EU after Brexit.
The meeting lasted for an hour and 45 minutes and some 25 ministers spoke, according to the Prime Minister's official spokesman.
Discussions on the so-called “end state” come amid reports that the Prime Minister and her aides are planning a speech – similar to Lancaster House and Florence – where Ms May will set out the Government’s vision for future trade with the bloc.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, has also given another interview, insisting there will be no special arrangement to allow City firms to trade freely in the EU if Britain leaves the single market – a further blow to Ms May’s hopes of securing a bespoke deal with Brussels.
In comments likely to infuriate hardline Brexiteers, Mr Barnier said that the UK must follow all EU rules during the expected two-year transition period following the official date of Brexit in March 2019 - including laws introduced during that time with no British input into decisions.
Seems like the Defence Secretary has had a great day out. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DRar2ZKW0AAHgyp.jpg
In an interview with the London Evening Standard the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has admitted he could not have done any better to stop Tory rebels. He also said that Britain must "step up" to deal with North Korea as it is on the path to developing missiles that could strike London.
The Press Association has more here:
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has admitted he could not have halted a Tory rebellion which resulted in the Prime Minister's first Commons defeat, had he still been chief whip.
Theresa May was dealt a damaging blow on Wednesday, as MPs backed the attempt to ensure they have a "meaningful vote" on the Brexit withdrawal deal.
By a margin of four votes, MPs from opposition parties sided with Tory rebel Dominic Grieve and his allies to defeat the Government by 309 to 305.
There were 11 Tory rebels in total, according to the official Commons list.
Asked whether the outcome would have been different and if he would have stopped it, Mr Williamson told the Press Association: "We have the world's best chief whip in Julian Smith.
"The Conservative Party and this Government couldn't be more fortunate to have such a brilliant chief whip - he was my deputy and I was so privileged to have him.
"He does an amazing job, I certainly could not have done any better than Julian did. He is a brilliant chief whip."
Mr Williamson took over as Defence Secretary in November after Sir Michael Fallon's resignation amid sleaze allegations.
Some Tories have pointed the finger of blame at Mr Smith who was facing his first major whipping challenge within his new role, which he took over last month.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the Government's approach to police funding "beggars belief".
He added: "Londoners should ignore the Government spin today - this is yet another year of real-terms cuts to the funding the Government provide to the Met."
At the afternoon Downing Street briefing it has been revealed that Theresa May spoke with the US President Donald Trump. We'll bring you more details as soon as we have them, but this is from Political Editor Joe Watts who is at the briefing.
Here is more on Theresa May's call with Donald Trump from the Press Association.
Theresa May was expected to raise Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a Tuesday afternoon phone call, her official spokesman said
The Prime Minister was speaking with the United States president from Downing Street and was expected to restate her disagreement with his decision to move the US embassy to the holy city.
It comes after Britain joined 13 other members of the United Nations Security Council in backing a resolution, vetoed by the US, which rejected the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
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