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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Oliver Milne

Brexit: Labour responds after almost 5 hours of talks with Tory government

Crunch Brexit talks between Labour and the Conservatives lasted for almost five hours today.

The two sides are meeting in an attempt to hammer out a deal on a potential Withdrawal Agreement that could win the support of the House of Commons.

After talks ended Ministers were summoned to No10

Chancellor Philip Hammond, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Environment Secretary Michael Gove joined the Business Secretary, Brexit Secretary and Mr Lidington met with the Prime Minister.

It comes as Tory MPs were told by the Chief Whip that the Government could schedule last minute sessions on Friday next week and on the following week to make time to bring any deal to the Commons.

Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer leaves the Cabinet Office after talks (Getty Images)

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It is the second day the teams have met.

Labour's negotiation team is led by Shadow Cabinet members Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

The Government’s negotiating team consists of David Lidington, Steve Barclay, the Chief Whip, Greg Clark and Gavin Barwell, supported by senior aides and officials.

Today saw "technical discussions" and were held in the Cabinet Office.

A sandwich lunch and fruit was served, with tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day.

It follows hints that Mrs May will soften her plan dramatically to allow a customs union have  prompted a furious backlash in the Tory party  - including two resignations.

The talks were "technical" and they will meet again soon (Getty Images)

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And Jeremy Corbyn faced growing pressure to demand a second referendum as a "red line" after Emily Thornberry  told MPs any deal "must be subject to a confirmatory public vote".

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Today both sets of negotiating teams met for four and a half hours in the Cabinet Office for detailed technical discussions

"These talks are continuing and the teams are planning to meet again.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “Today both sets of negotiating teams met for four and a half hours of detailed and productive technical talks in the Cabinet Office, supported by the civil service.

"The Government and the Opposition hope to meet again tomorrow for further work to find a way forward to deliver on the referendum, mindful of the need to make progress ahead of the forthcoming European Council.”

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