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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

European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt said the proposals were signed by five political groups that represented a "huge majority" in Brussels.

They will be discussed in the parliament on Tuesday and voted on next Wednesday, he said.

Mr Verhofstadt said the resolution was a "bridge" between the red lines of the UK Government and the principles of the European Union.

He said there were proposals for an association agreement but insisted it would be a "totally different" set up to the one the EU has with Ukraine.

"Far broader, far more detailed and specific," he said.

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 17:29

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 17:29

The leadership of the European Parliament has said it will not accept “discrimination” against EU citizens who come to Britain during the Brexit transition period by UK immigration authorities.

A motion backed by the leaderships of the main pro-EU political groups warns that the UK must keep freedom of movement in full effect until the end of the Brexit transition period – at least 2021. 

Story here:

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 17:30
Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 17:41

That's it from the politics liveblog for the day. Thanks for following!

Lizzy Buchan7 March 2018 17:50

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