Brexit news latest: EU officials sign-off Withdrawal Agreement bill

European Council president Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have signed the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, the council has said.

The European Parliament is expected to vote to ratify the agreement on January 29 ahead of Britain’s departure from the EU on January 31.

Following the signing of the document, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: “Charles Michel and I have just signed the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, opening the way for its ratification by the European Parliament.”

Mr Michel, President of the European Council, sat with Ms von der Leyen to sign the accord in front of two EU flags.

Mr Michel said: “Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain.

The Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK, which has been signed in Brussels, paving the way for the country to leave the EU next week (PA)

“We start a new chapter as partners and allies.”

The document has been signed off 1,309 days after the people voted to leave the union during the Brexit referendum.

It means the UK will leave the EU at 11pm, January 31 2020.

There will be a transition period, where little will change for 11 months.

The deal has already been enshrined in UK law after the Queen granted her assent on Thursday.

The next stage is for the deal to be passed by the EU Parliament – a vote is expected to take place on Wednesday – then the countdown to get good trade deals in place will begin.

Boris Johnson and his government will have to reach a deal by December 31 or the UK risks crashing out of the EU without a trade deal.

Boris Johnson has said that he wants to negotiate a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU by the end of the year.

Trade talks will be in full swing once the EU Parliament votes the agreement through (PA)

However, EU officials warn the 11-month timetable is not workable because trade talks cannot start until March.

The Prime Minister, however, remains upbeat, insisting Britain can now move forward after years of wrangling over Brexit.

“At times it felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we’ve done it,” he said.

Now we can put the rancour and division of the past three years behind us and focus on delivering a bright, exciting future.”

The deal was originally presided over by Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk who have both finished their terms in the time it has taken to reach the agreement