Brexit deal agreed: Boris Johnson and EU announce breakthrough

A Brexit deal has been agreed with the EU, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

Mr Johnson said the government’s agreement is a “great new deal” and urged MPs to “get Brexit done” during Saturday’s special sitting of Parliament.

He tweeted on Thursday: “We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control — now Parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities like the cost of living, the NHS, violent crime and our environment.”

But Mr Johnson still faces a huge struggle convincing MPs to pass the deal.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) immediately reiterated its opposition to Mr Johnson’s proposals. The party’s support is seen as key to getting Brexit through the Commons.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, said: “This sell out deal won’t bring the country together and should be rejected.”

EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker posted on Twitter: “Where there is a will, there is a #deal – we have one! It’s a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is testament to our commitment to find solutions. I recommend that #EUCO endorses this deal.”

In a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk, Mr Juncker said he still “deeply regrets” the outcome of the 2016 referendum but said that the EU was “best served by an orderly and amicable withdrawal of the UK from our union”.

He ended the letter saying: “I have indicated to you in the past that I believe it is high time to complete the withdrawal process and move on, as swiftly as possible, to the negotiation on the European Union’s future partnership with the UK.”

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said in a news conference that the agreement “includes a legally operative solution that would avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland”.

He went on: “Secondly, a point extremely important to Prime Minister Johnson and the UK, it rules that Northern Ireland remains in the UK’s customs territory.”

Mr Corbyn said in his statement: “From what we know, it seems the Prime Minister has negotiated an even worse deal than Theresa May’s, which was overwhelmingly rejected.

“These proposals risk triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections: putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers’ rights, and opening up our NHS to a takeover by US private corporations.

“This sell out deal won’t bring the country together and should be rejected. The best way to get Brexit sorted is to give the people the final say in a public vote.”

Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats, reiterated her party’s demand for a second referendum.

She tweeted: “The next few days will shape the future of our country for generations. I am more determined than ever to #StopBrexit and give the public the final say in a #PeoplesVote.”

The pound, meanwhile, hit a five-month high against the US dollar following the announcement.

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