Watch: EU's Juncker speaks of 'deep sadness'published at 10:08 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Brexit: 'The best deal possible for Britain' says Juncker
Summary
The European Union has endorsed the Brexit deal after 18 months of negotiations
'This is the best deal possible, this is the only deal possible,' says European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
Theresa May says it allows the country to 'move forward together into a brighter future'
But the UK Parliament must also approve the deal - MPs are expected to vote in December
A number of MPs from all sides have criticised the agreement
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the parliamentary arithmetic is 'challenging'
Watch: EU's Juncker speaks of 'deep sadness'published at 10:08 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Media caption, Theresa May arrives in Brusselspublished at 10:01 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Lithuanian president: Exit far from overpublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Dalia Grybauskaite is among the EU leaders at the summit
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End of twitter postEU pledges to have close ties with UKpublished at 09:56 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
The EU summit conclusions, external are out now - just three paragraphs.
The EU is determined "to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future", they say.
The Conservative dividepublished at 09:49 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Image source, PABack in the UK, two sides of the Conservative divide have spoken to Sophie Ridge on Sky this morning.
Housing Secretary James Brokenshire came down firmly behind the PM, saying the withdrawal deal "is in the best interest of our country". He says it's better than staying the EU, "given that people voted for us to leave the European Union" in the 2016 referendum.
On the other side, prominent Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith says the deal has "conceded too much control" to the EU and undermines earlier pledges made by Theresa May.
He questions whether the deal genuinely ends freedom of movement and raises concern that Gibraltar has been "abandoned" by reported concessions to Spain.
No surprise to hear he won't be voting for the deal in Parliament in the coming weeks.
Image source, AFPNot much to discuss?published at 09:39 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
BBC Brussels reporter tweets...
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End of twitter postEU backs Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declarationpublished at 09:37 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
BreakingPresident of European Council tweets...
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End of twitter postLuxembourg PM: 'Divorce, not a funeral'published at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, going into the summit, says the deal "is the best possible one".
Both the EU and UK have made concessions, he added, with no alternative possible.
He called for more optimism about the deal. "We are going to organise a divorce... it's not a funeral."
What's in the Brexit deal?published at 09:31 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Rob Watson
BBC political correspondentA 585-page text spells out the terms of the UK withdrawal. It is legally binding.
And there is a much shorter political declaration - a roadmap for future ties post-Brexit, including ambitions for trade and wide-ranging co-operation.
Read about the key points here.
Image source, AFPImage caption, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (L) and European Council President Donald Tusk with Brexit text
Tory MP: Letter from prime minister 'deeply shocking'published at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the health and social care committee in Parliament, has been a vocal campaigner against Brexit and for a second referendum.
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End of twitter postSummit beginspublished at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
European Council President Donald Tusk’s spokesperson tweets...
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End of twitter post 2EU leaders 'sticking to the script'published at 09:12 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
BBC political editor tweets...
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End of twitter postFarage: I'll be voting against Brexit dealpublished at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
BBC News Channel
Image source, BBC NewsFormer UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who remains a member of the European Parliament, says he'll be voting against the deal when it's put to MEPs.
Speaking to the BBC News Channel, he disagreed however that the deal was so bad that the UK would be better off remaining in the EU, as some have suggested.
"It's an awful deal, I want the deal rejected," he says.
Both a second referendum or the UK leaving without a deal altogether would be better alternatives, he added.
Europe 'needs rebuilding' - Macronpublished at 09:05 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
French President Emmanuel Macron says Brexit shows that Europe "needs rebuilding".
The UK's exit "shows that the EU is fragile in a way", he told reporters in Brussels.
But he voiced satisfaction that the negotiated UK withdrawal deal addressed the issues of competition rules and fisheries.
"It’s the choice of a sovereign people, it’s a moment for unity and responsibility," he said on Brexit.
Image source, evnWatch: Barnier says 'it's time to take responsibility'published at 09:03 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Media caption, Brexit: 'Time for everybody to take responsibility'
Brexit: What comes next?published at 08:54 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Even if a Brexit deal is "settled" in Brussels today, Mrs May still faces political difficulties at home.
Here's a quick guide.
Image source, BBC Political Research UnitJuncker: This is the best deal for Britainpublished at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Image source, ReutersEuropean Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says it is "a sad day... a tragedy".
"It's not a moment of jubilation," he says.
Asked about the chance of the deal being changed if it's rejected by the UK parliament, he said "this is the deal... the European Union will not change its fundamental position on this issue."
"I would vote in favour of this deal because it's the best possible for Britain," he added.
What happens next in the UK?published at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
The 27 EU leaders are set to sign off Theresa May's Brexit deal in Brussels today.
But back at home, the PM will still face the huge hurdle of getting MPs to approve her EU withdrawal agreement and accompanying political declaration.
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright looks at what will happen if MPs reject Mrs May's deal.
Image source, PAIrish PM: Tariff-free trade 'very important'published at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar said "tariff-free, quota-free trade between Britain and Ireland is very important".
He also said it was important that the deal would keep the Common Travel Area after Brexit, which enables passport-free travel between the UK and Ireland.
Image source, PAPresident of European Parliament 'wants to be optimistic'published at 08:32 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018
Image source, EBSArriving in Brussels, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani says he "wants to be optimistic" about the chances of the deal going through both the UK and EU parliaments.
It is a good deal for both sides, he says, and the focus is now on working hard for good relations in future.
"The United Kingdom will leave the European Union but not Europe, it's important we have a good a relationship."
The European Parliament will vote on a Brexit resolution in December and expects to vote on the agreement in January or February, he says.