Tuesday morning news briefing: Brexit 'can benefit all of Europe'

UK negotiator talks up gains of 'economic competition'

Boris Johnson's chief negotiator has set out his stall in his first major speech in Brussels. David Frost said that Brexit is an opportunity for "economic competition" that should benefit everyone in Europe - insisting that if Britain were to continue following EU rules, it would betray the point of the referendum. But he stressed Brexit would not mean a race to lower standards. Mr Frost is expected to lay out the shape of Britain's preferred trade deal next week, with negotiations likely to begin in March. James Crisp explains what Brussels means when it argues "level playing field guarantees" are needed to stop Britain gaining an unfair advantage over the bloc. And this is what the Prime Minister wants - compared to what he is likely to get from an EU trade deal.

Meanwhile, a controversial Downing Street aide appointed just days ago has been forced out after becoming embroiled in a eugenics row. Andrew Sabisky, a so-called "superforecaster", is believed to have been brought in as part of Dominic Cummings' recruitment drive for "weirdos and misfits". He claimed to have quit last night amid a mounting backlash over a series of highly controversial comments he had made online.

Don't expect protection from flooding, agency warns

Homeowners should no longer automatically expect to be protected from major floods, ministers are to announce. Under a radical policy shift, the Environment Agency will see flooding as inevitable due to climate change. Bill Gardner reports how the Government will help people rebuild water-damaged homes or move away from flood-risk areas instead of spending millions on barriers. The news comes as the agency is accused of leaving parts of the country at the mercy of Storm Dennis, which continues to wreak havoc. With more rain coming and no respite from the floods in sight, read the latest forecast. And Matt finds humour in the weather chaos for today's brilliant cartoon.

Another royal split: Now Queen's nephew to divorce

The Queen's nephew has announced that he and his wife are to divorce, in the Royal family's second separation in six days. The Earl of Snowdon, the son of the late Princess Margaret, and his wife of more than 25 years, the Countess of Snowdon, said they had "amicably agreed" their marriage had come to an end and "they shall be divorced". Read their full statement. As Jamie Johnson reports, the Royal family has been rocked by a series of splits and controversies in recent months.

News digest

• Breaking: HSBC job cuts | Bank to slash 35,000 roles as profits fall by third

• Caroline Flack | Tortured final weeks of TV presenter revealed

• Premium Bonds | NS&I to lengthen odds on prizes from May 1

• Coronavirus | Foreign Office in bid to rescue cruise ship Britons

• Science of lying | Study reveals liars tend to have smaller brains

Gallery: The big picture

Plaid again... | Remember when the Burberry check was pattern non grata? The noble plaid is back and proudly on the catwalk at London Fashion Week. Read Lisa Armstrong's report and view our gallery.

Comment

• Liam Halligan | Britain shouldn't fear crisis-ridden EU's posturing

• Charles Moore | The BBC must be saved from its imperial folly

• Jamie Blackett | This flood of official defeatism must stop

• Celia Walden | We've hit peak trans madness... haven't we?

• Lucy Denyer | Let's make speed awareness courses compulsory

Editor's choice

1. Nanny wars | Ruthless invasion of the childminder snatchers

2. The Happiness Index | How would you score your workplace out of 100?

3. World's wackiest architecture | Gallery: School shaped like a cat - to giant binoculars

Business and money briefing

'Mr Crisis' | How did Andrew Bailey rise to the top of the Bank of England? Economics Editor Russell Lynch has the untold story of the new Governor's success based on exclusive interviews and unprecedented access to archive material.

• The Think Tank | Why does government need a fiscal watchdog?

• Investment tip | Performance in sluggish times shows strength

• Alex cartoon | See our brilliant cartoonist's latest work

Sport briefing

Chelsea 0 Manchester United 2 | This was a real kick where it hurts for Chelsea and one that seriously damages their chances of finishing in the top four - while suddenly ­raising Manchester United's hopes that they might just do that. Read Jason Burt's report from Stamford Bridge.

• Gunner feels heat | Guendouzi's Arsenal career in jeopardy

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | How he fell foul of Paul Pogba's agent

• Manchester City | Club to focus on 'worrisome' Uefa leaks

And finally...

Warts and all | Oliver Cromwell is often held up as the embodiment of ruthless strength and power. But a letter being made public for the first time shows that the 17th-century statesman was plagued with depression and asked friends to pray for him. Read the note that he penned after he had won the Civil War.