May and Corbyn: Brexit talks constructive

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have called talks to break the Brexit deadlock in Parliament “constructive”.

The two leaders met on Wednesday afternoon and agreed a “programme of work” to try to find a way forward to put to MPs for a vote.

It is understood that each party has appointed a negotiating team, which will meet later tonight ahead of a full day of discussions on Thursday.

A spokesman for No 10 said both sides were “showing flexibility”.

The UK has until 12 April to propose a plan to the EU – which must be accepted by the bloc – or it will leave without a deal on that date.

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The PM proposed the talks in a statement on Tuesday night and wants to agree a way forward with the Labour leader for the Commons to vote on before 10 April – when the EU will hold an emergency summit on Brexit.

If there is no agreement between the two leaders, Mrs May said a number of options would be put to MPs “to determine which course to pursue”.

In either event, Mrs May said she would ask the EU for a further short extension to hopefully get an agreement passed by Parliament before 22 May, so the UK does not have to take part in European elections.

The two leaders also met with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The SNP leader said she had “good” and “open” conversations with both, and while she believed Mr Corbyn would “drive a hard bargain”, she was “still not entirely clear” where the prime minister was willing to compromise.

The SNP leader, who backs a further referendum and wants to remain in the EU, told reporters: “My concern is that in the rush to reach some compromise with the clock ticking, what will happen over the next few days… is a bad compromise will be reached.”

The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Plaid Cymru and the Independent Group have also held a joint press conference, calling for any decision made by the leaders to be put to a public vote.

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