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'

  1. EU's Barnier urges 'responsibility'published at 08:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018

    EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier says "now is the time for everybody to take their responsibility".

    He says his Brexit team "worked with the UK, never against the UK".

    "We'll remain allies, partners and friends," he said, going into the Brexit summit.

    Michel BarnierImage source, EPA
  2. Leaders are arrivingpublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018

    First in is Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite.

    Speaking to waiting media, she said: "We are going to agree on the withdrawal agreement."

    She added: "But there's nothing good for any side, because it is withdrawal from the European Union."

    Ms Grybauskaite said the EU27 wanted to see "everything settled as soon as possible".

    "I think it's not our concern. It's the British concern."

    Dalia Grybauskaite
  3. The stage is set in Brusselspublished at 07:44 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018

    Brexit summit
    Image caption,

    The Brexit deal with the UK is expected to be backed by the other 27 EU member states.

  4. Brexit is time for 'renewal' - Theresa Maypublished at 07:43 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018

    Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Theresa May has tweeted a letter to the nation, urging UK citizens to "come together again as one people".

    Brexit will be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation for our whole country", she writes.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  5. Two key Brexit documentspublished at 07:36 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018

    EU leaders will have to consider two key documents: the EU withdrawal agreement - which is legally binding - and a separate political declaration, outlining the UK's future relationship with the EU.

    There is no formal vote today, but European Council chief Donald Tusk has recommended all countries approve the prime minister's deal.

    After months of negotiations and political wrangling, need a little reminder of what it's actually all about again? Get your head around Brexit with our simple guide.

  6. Good morningpublished at 07:34 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2018

    Welcome to our live coverage of the special Brexit summit of the European Council in Brussels.

    Theresa May is meeting with the 27 EU leaders who are expected to sign off on her Brexit deal - the terms of the UK's exit from the EU.

    We will be bringing you the latest updates as officials start to arrive at the summit from 07:30 GMT.