Johnson urges MPs to back Brexit deal as Juncker praises breakthrough for ‘peace and people’
Boris Johnson has urged MPs in Westminster to back his last-minute Brexit deal, ahead of a major showdown during a special session on Saturday.
Standing alongside European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, the UK Prime Minister praised the 11th hour agreement as “a very good deal both for the EU and the UK”.
Johnson described it as “reasonable, a fair outcome and reflects large amount of work undertaken by both sides”.
“It means we can deliver a real Brexit that achieves our objectives, and it means the UK leaves whole and entire on 31 [October],” he said. “It means every part of UK can take part in new trade deals… and take part as a single UK in decisions about borders, money and how we want to run the UK.”
He urged MPs in Westminster to “come together to get Brexit done, and do so without any more delay”.
Juncker also described the deal as good for all parties, including citizens, noting: “The deal is not about us, the deal is about people and peace, and I look forward to continue our conversations with Boris… on 1 November.”
But Juncker also warned that it was not just about parliamentarians in Westminster to have the final say “but also the European Parliament to do the same”.
However Westminster does appear to present a challenge for the final furlong in this phase of talks.
MPs have just voted in favour of making an amendment to the meaningful vote on the deal, presenting further complications for the Prime Minister, as this is likely to see a motion for a second referendum brought forward.
Johnson lost the vote by 12 – a bad start for the Prime Minister who now has to build support for his deal with a majority of minus-43.
The DUP has reiterated its rejection of the deal, issuing a statement this afternoon which said: “This drives a coach and horses through the professed sanctity of the Belfast agreement.
“For all of these reasons it is our view that these arrangements would not be in Northern Ireland’s long-term interests. Saturday’s vote in parliament on the proposals will only be the start of a long process to get any withdrawal agreement bill through the House of Common.”
Chances are high that even with a deal in place, it will fail to pass in the Commons, which may result in the Prime Minister being forced to seek an extension until 31 January.
Main image: Getty