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Boris Johnson and Jean-Claude Juncker appeared divided on sentiment as they stood united to announce details of their new Brexit agreement.
The PM said the agreement could deliver a “real Brexit”, and promised it will allow the UK to leave the EU “whole and entire”.
But the European Commission president, who appeared more downbeat than his counterpart, finished the joint conference by telling reporters: “I have to say that I’m happy about a deal – but I’m sad about Brexit.”
The pair delivered their message at a joint press conference in Brussels, flanked by chief negotiators Stephen Barclay and Michel Barnier.
Addressing reporters, Mr Juncker said the deal means “there is no need for any kind of prolongation” and said it is “testament to our commitment to finding solutions”.
He said it protects citizen rights and peace on the island of Ireland.
“The deal is not about us, the deal is about people and peace,” he said, in a sombre tone, before stating negotiations on the future relationship will begin as soon as possible.
The EU figurehead concluded by praising Mr Johnson for “excellent relations” in recent weeks.
Mr Johnson seemed exuberant as he discussed the agreement.
He rallied Parliamentarians to support it and said he hopes “very much now” that MPs will “come together to get Brexit done, to get this excellent deal over the line”.
Mr Johnson added: “I agree very much with Jean-Claude about what he said about protecting the peace process on the island of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“Of course, for us in the UK it means we can deliver a real Brexit that achieves our objectives.
“It means the UK leaves whole and entire on October 31 and it means that Northern Ireland and every part of the UK can take part in not just free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means we can take, together as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future – our laws, our borders, our money and how we want to run the UK.
In conclusion, he said: “Now is the moment for us to get Brexit done and then together to work on building our future partnership, which I think can be incredibly positive. Both for the UK and for the EU.”
It was after this, as reporters began to shout questions, that Mr Juncker expressed his sadness, before the pair walked away without taking any questions from reporters.
Despite his triumphant announcements, the PM faces a uphill battle to have his deal passed by Parliament.
The DUP, which backs the Tories in a confidence and supply agreement, has said it will not support it.
Meanwhile. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the agreement worse than Theresa May’s, which the House rejected multiple times.
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