Image source, AFP

The European Council has said that Brexit talks can enter the second phase following last month's agreement.

As a result it has published its guidelines, external for the next stage of talks.

Read some of the key phrases from that document here.

Now and again politicians have to stand up for things they believe in, and I believe in the European Union, Lib Dems MSP Tavish Scott says.

Referring to the recent UK government reshuffle, he suggests Prime Minister Theresa May has wasted two days on this rather than using it for Cabinet meetings.

Red lines appear to be blurring, Mr Scott says, noting a number of commitments made before and since the referendum have been broken as negotiations have unfolded.

He warns the UK is heading for a no-deal scenario.

Green MSP Ross Greer suggests the UK government's handling of the negotiations has cemented the idea that a good deal is not possible.

He calls on Labour to support the position taken by other parties that the UK should seek to remain in the single market, suggesting that to do otherwise would be to go against its mantra, "for the many, not the few".

Mr Greer warns that if the UK seeks to strike a trade deal with the US, regulations will be targeted.

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Labour MSP Pauline McNeil is interuppted in full flow by the ringtone of her own mobile:

"Fantastic Posh Accent and BBC's 1950s hair!" intones a very posh voice.

Even as a political journalist for the BBC I certainly could not comment.

Ms McNeill apologises to the chamber.

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Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton accuses First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of frustrating the Brexit process by pursuing independence at all costs.

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SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says he sent a Cullen Skink Scotch Pie to Michael Gove and says he hopes he enjoyed it.

However it was widely reported that he had sent the pie to David Davis.

The games a foot methinks, a pie mystery beckons.

So who ate all the festive pies? David Davis or Michael Gove?

Nicola Sturgeon has described a no-deal Brexit as "unthinkable" yesterday, saying that "no Brexit is preferable to no deal".

Newspaper reports have speculated, external that the prime minister is set to appoint a junior minister to examine the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a trade deal, as a move to demonstrate to EU leaders that she is serious about this as an option if talks fail.

Ms Sturgeon told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme she had read the reports "in disbelief" and "despair".

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Labour MSP Neil Findlay gets to his feet in his new role as Scottish Labour's Brexit spokesperson and he thanks "his old chum Mr Russell".

Mr Findlay says he is sure he and the Brexit minister will work together to highlight the "shambolic" Tory approach to Brexit.

He says it is unusual for someone to get a migraine prior to one of Mr Carlaw's speeches, it is usually during or after, but he wishes him a speedy recovery.

The Scottish Labour Brexit spokesman says: "We want to ensure all the rights of citizens from the EU are protected."

He says his party accepts democracy and the will of the people and says he will work closely on the LCM for the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Migraine-inflicted Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw says he cannot see his colleagues very well.

"I hope you are there," he adds.

Adding some optimism to the debate, he notes an agreement on citizens rights has been reached and the number of EU nationals in Scotland rose by 10% in the 12 months since the referendum.

The Scottish parliament should be as pragmatic and realistic as we can be to negotiate the best possible deal, he says.

"Clause 11 is not acceptable to the Scottish Conservatives", he tells the chamber.

Mr Carlaw expresses confidence that the UK government will bring forward an amendment to clause 11 so Holyrood has a say.

Reality Check

Anyone who tells you they know how Brexit is going to play out in 2018 isn't to be trusted.

After last year's rollercoaster, almost anything could happen.

Another general election? A big shift in the public mood? Both are possibilities - perhaps unlikely, but not to be ruled out entirely.

Image source, Getty Images

The only predictable thing is unpredictability. And among both arch-Brexiteers, and ardent Remainers, there is a sense that it is still all to play for.

But the government insists that the UK will leave the EU on March 29 2019, and in the meantime Brexit negotiations will gather pace. Welcome to phase two.

Read more.

Brexit Minister Mike Russell says most people are now apprehensive and concerned about the UK government being able to deliver anything on Brexit.

Mr Russell says most people are aware that there is and cannot be a good Brexit.

He says the ending of freedom of movement would cause enormous damage across all of Scotland.

The minister says the UK government will not bring forward an amendment at the report stage of the EU Withdrawal Bill.

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Tory MSP Adam Tomkins intervenes saying the UK government could bring forward an amendment at a later date to ensure the consent of the parliament for the Bill.

Mr Russell quotes the Book of Proverbs: "Hope deferred maketh the heart go sick."

He says: "No Brexit is better than any Brexit."

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee Convener Joan McAlpine kicks off today's debate.

She expresses concern about meeting a number of tight deadlines, noting that phase one has not yet been translated into legal text.

The lack of clarity around the financial settlement and issues with the Irish border are also mentioned.

Ms McAlpine welcomes the European Council's desire to establish a relationship with the UK after Brexit.

However, she notes there can be no final trade agreement before March 2019, but that a political agreement is possible.

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Holyrood's Constitution Committee has backed the Scottish government's refusal to put Brexit legislation to a consent vote unless changes are made.

Scottish ministers want the EU Withdrawal Bill amended before they put it to MSPs for legislative consent.

The committee, which includes Tory MSPs, agreed that, as it stands, the bill is "incompatible with devolution".

Scottish Secretary David Mundell has promised to bring forward changes to the disputed part of the bill.

Read more here.