PM May and EU president Juncker talking
UK cabinet office minister Lidington
- says negotiations are still taking place in Strasbourg
- says it is far from unusual for deadlines to be stretched and talks to be going on late
- Says intention of OM May is to secure deal that works in national interest
- says will persist in negotiations until she is satisfied that has been achieved
- says govt will update house at earliest opportunity tomorrow if there is an outcome to continuing talks
- says this evening PM has secured legally binding changes that strengthen and improve withdrawal agreement
- says we will be laying two new documents tonight
- says will lay a joint legally binding instrument and a joint statement
- says first provides confirmation that EU cannot try to trap UK in backstop
- says if EU were to act with that intention UK could use this as basis for formal dispute through independent arbitration
- says backstop does not predetermine our future relationship with EU
- says joint instrument also puts letter from Tusk and Juncker onto legally binding footing
- joint statement outlines commitments by eu and uk to enhance and expedite process of bringing into force the future relationship
- says opens possibilty of provisional application of an agreement
- says legal assessment of attorney general will be available in good time before Tuesday's debate
- says tomorrow the house will vote on this improved deal
There you go, this chap sounding all positive and happy. GBP taken up on the news. And confirms the vote will be Tuesday UK time. Anyone think the vote will be in support? That's your risk, right there.
