Live updates: Reaction to Theresa May’s Brexit plan
Prime Minister Theresa May is due to present her deal on Britain’s EU withdrawal to the Commons.
Mrs May cleared the first hurdle when Cabinet ministers approved the draft terms of her agreement with Brussels on Wednesday.
Here’s the latest reaction to the draft deal:
8.00am
At the conclusion of the press conference in Brussels, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said: “This is a very important moment. What we have agreed at negotiators’ level is fair and balanced, takes into account the UK’s positions, organises the withdrawal in an orderly fashion, ensures no hard border on the island of Ireland and lays the ground for an ambitious new partnership.”
Mr Barnier said he would now travel to Strasbourg to discuss the agreement with the European Parliament, adding: “We have no time to lose.”
7.45am
Shailesh Vara has quit as Northern Ireland Minister, saying he cannot support Mrs May’s Brexit agreement, which he said “leaves the UK in a halfway house with no time limit on when we will finally be a sovereign nation”.
With much sadness and regret I have submitted my letter of resignation as a Northern Ireland Minister to the Prime Minister. A copy of my letter is attached.It has been a joy and privilege to serve in the Northern Ireland Office and I will always cherish the fondest memories. pic.twitter.com/SN8j4OwhYD
— Shailesh Vara MP (@ShaileshVara) November 15, 2018
7.30am
The European Council will hold an extraordinary summit in Brussels on November 25 to finalise the UK’s withdrawal agreement, council president Donald Tusk has announced.
Speaking alongside EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier at a press conference in Brussels, Mr Tusk said Brexit was a “lose-lose situation” for the UK and EU, and sent a message to the British people: “As much as I am sad to see you leave, I will do everything to make this farewell the least painful possible, for you and for us.”