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As it happenedended

Brexit - as it happened: Philip Hammond challenges Brussels over City deal as EU warns against 'pick and mix' approach

All the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 07 March 2018 09:51 GMT
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Jeremy Corbyn accuses UK of 'directing' war in Yemen

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Theresa May vowed to challenge Saudi Arabia over its human rights record and its role in the Yemeni conflict as the Crown Prince flew into London for a high-profile visit.

Widespread protests greeted Mohammad bin Salman, the powerful heir to the throne, who received the red-carpet treatment on the first day of his trip, including meetings with the Queen, other senior royals and top ministers.

But the visit prompted stern criticism from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during Prime Minister's Questions, where Ms May also made her first public comments on the poisoning of Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

European Council President Donald Tusk also published the EU's draft guidelines, rejecting the terms laid out by the Prime Minister in her Mansion House speech last week.

Chancellor Philip Hammond also made a speech to city bosses in London, where he insisted that a Brexit deal including financial services was possible.

See below for the latest updates

Over in Brussels, Donald Tusk is starting his press conference on the EU trade guidelines.

We will pick up there once PMQs is over but Europe correspondent Jon Stone is tweeting the latest developments.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:28

SNP's Stewart Malcolm McDonald asks about a jailed writer Raif Badawi, who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

May says she will raise the case but it doesn't require a visit from the Saudi Crown Prince to raise these issues.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:31

Labour's Lilian Greenwood urges May to "wake up" to the social care crisis by offering new funds in the Spring Statement next week.

May says the statement next week is not a budget but Government has already pledged extra money for social care.

Labour's Rachael Maskell asks about the housing crisis in York, says families are crammed into tiny box rooms and homelessness is on the rise. She says people don't want 'platitudes... they just want warm homes'.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:33

Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael asks about a new bill coming through next week to reunite refugee children with their families.

May says the Government is committed to helping refugees.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:36

Maria Miller, chair of women and equalities committee, raised international women's day and asks when the Government will review protections for pregnant women - 50,000 women are forced out of work.

May says the Government will review these issues over the next 12 months.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:39

Strong words coming out of Brussels from Donald Tusk's press conference.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:40

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:41

Back at PMQs, Philippa Whitford asks about use of private providers in the NHS and how this might be affected by a future US trade deal.

May says the Government will not allow the NHS to be undermined by any trade deals.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:43

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:43

The DUP's Nigel Dodds asks her to praise Michel Barnier for uniting the Government and opposition against the EU, after the publication of their draft guidelines.

May says there will be plenty more discussion on the future of the Northern Irish border.

Labour's Toby Perkins asks whether the UK should pull out of the World Cup - and 'what on earth' was the Foreign Secretary talking about?

PM says its important to wait for the result of the investigation into the Salisbury incident but there might be questions over whether UK dignitaries should attend.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 12:48

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