UK - Theresa May finalised a deal with the EU today that will unlock talks on trade after frantic night-long negotiations. At a dramatic early morning press conference, a bleary eyed PM and Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed agreement had been reached. 'I believe we have now made the breakthrough we need,' Mr Juncker said. Mrs May said the settlement was 'in the best interests of the whole of the UK'.
Despite criticism of an estimated £50 billion divorce payment, she also said it was 'fair to the British taxpayer'. But tempering the 'personal victory' for Mrs May, European Council chief Donald Tusk immediately started making demands about the next phase of talks. He said during a mooted two-year transition period Britain will have to keep making financial contributions and respect all EU laws, including new laws, even though it will have no say over how they are decided.
There is also set to be a backlash over the huge divorce bill and pledges to accept the power of European Courts for years to come. In a scathing assessment, ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: 'A deal in Brussels is good news for Mrs May as we can now move on to the next stage of humiliation.'
Mr Juncker's chief aide Martin Selmayr tweeted a picture of white smoke this morning - a reference to the Vatican's famous signal that agreement has been reached on a new Pope.