Latest: May in plea for support on Brexit, as EU chiefs offer 'clarification' of deal

Theresa May said the letter from the EU contained "valuable new clarifications and assurances to put before the House of Commons, including on getting our future relationship in place rapidly so the backstop should never need to be used".

Update 12.15pm: Theresa May has issued a last-ditch plea for MPs to back her Brexit deal, after Brussels chiefs issued a letter offering assurances that they do not want the controversial "backstop" to be permanent.