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As it happenedended1557866706

Brexit news - live: MPs to vote on withdrawal bill in June as Cabinet sets summer deadline for exit

See below for live updates from Westminster

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Jon Sharman
Tuesday 14 May 2019 21:06 BST
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Countdown to Brexit: How many days left until Britain leaves the EU?

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Theresa May's cabinet has set a summer deadline for the UK finally to leave the EU, prompting speculation the prime minister could be ready to name her departure date.

The decision suggests Ms May is ready to confirm she will quit within two months when she meets Tory backbench leaders on Thursday, after she promised to quit when the first phase of Brexit is complete. She will bring forward her withdrawal agreement bill in early June to ensure Brexit happens this summer, Downing Street said.

It came after the EU told Britain that it was on a "Brexit break" but officials will meet Olly Robbins, Ms May's top Brexit negotiator tomorrow.

Elsewhere, a group of senior Tories urged Ms May to to stand firm against Labour's demands for a customs union in the cross-party talks or risk losing the support of her party's "loyal middle".

But the warning drew fury from shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who voiced fears that any agreement with Ms May would be "overturned within weeks".

Late on Tuesday Ms May met Jeremy Corbyn and both agreed that cross-party talks should continue.

However, making clear their precarious nature, the Labour leader told the prime minister he had "doubts over the credibility of government commitments, following statements by Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers seeking to replace the prime minister".

See how we covered the day's events live, below

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The former Conservative MP Nick Boles has questioned why MPs have decided to take a break at a key time for Brexit.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 18:34
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You can read the full story on James Brokenshire and his ovens here.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 18:49
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Jeremy Hunt, who earlier admitted the Tories would be "crucified" by voters if they failed to push through a Brexit deal, has struggled to say why people should back the Conservatives at the ballot box.

"Because you believe in Conservative policies," he told The Guardian. Pressed further, the foreign secretary added: "Because we are not going to solve this problem by retreating to populist extremes."

It comes after several polls suggested the Tories were losing ground to Nigel Farage's Brexit Party ahead of both European parliament elections and a potential general election.

Labour's showing in EU polls is also expected to be hit.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 19:16
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In a piece you can read here, our chief political commentator John Rentoul explores the extent to which mass media coverage of politicians contributes to their popularity.

It follows accusations of bias thrown at the BBC for hosting Brexit Party founder Nigel Farage.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 19:54
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And here's a story from earlier, in case you missed it.

The government has been urged to scrap its controversial voter ID scheme after some 800 people were turned away when they tried to vote in the local elections.

They did not have formal identification with them and did not return after being prevented from voting, our political correspondent Benjamin Kentish writes.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 20:06
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Via our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn, some new European election polling figures...

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 20:17
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Our political sketch writer Tom Peck has weighed in on the Brokenshire oven debate. You can read his thoughts here.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 20:31
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Theresa May will bring her Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) in the first week of June, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister was locked in talks with Jeremy Corbyn this evening, which No10 described as "useful and constructive".

A Downing Street spokesman said the pair shared a "determination to bring the talks to a conclusion and deliver on the referendum result to leave the EU".

The WAB must be brought forward in the week of 3 June "if the UK is to leave the EU before the summer Parliamentary recess", the spokesman added.

Cross-party talks will continue on Wednesday, he said.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 20:58
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The Brexit bill will make its way into the Commons at about the same time Donald Trump is due to visit the UK, it seems.

Buckingham Palace said it had invited the US president for a full state visit in early June for about three days.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 21:11
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Also in the same week as Mr Trump's visit and the Brexit bill vote is the Peterborough byelection, to find someone to fill the seat vacated by Fiona Onasanya following her conviction for lying about speeding.

It will be a busy week indeed.

Jon Sharman14 May 2019 21:30

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