Boris Johnson news: EU agrees Brexit deal as parliament clears way for second referendum vote
PM faces Commons battle to gain approval from MPs
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has said he is “very confident” MPs will want to back his Brexit deal after UK and EU officials secured an agreement at a critical summit in Brussels.
But the prime minister’s DUP allies poured cold water on his hopes of progress by declaring they will oppose the plan – leaving Mr Johnson scrambling to find votes elsewhere.
The PM faces an uphill struggle to get his deal approved at an historic Commons sitting this Saturday.
MPs have won a key parliamentary vote paving the way for a bid to secure a second referendum on Saturday.
Senior Labour party figures, such as John McDonnell, have strongly criticised the agreement.
“The more people examine text of Johnson deal, the more you realise what a sell out deal it is,” Mr McDonnell said on Twitter.
“It’s not just the DUP, he’s sold out virtually every sector of our economy & all those who may have voted to leave believing a deal could be secured that protected their jobs.”
European leaders unanimously endorsed the proposal on Thursday and formally sent it to the British parliament.
“This is a great deal for our country. I also believe it’s a very good deal for our friends in the EU,” Mr Johnson told reporters in Brussels.
“There is a very good case for MPs across the House of Commons to express the democratic will of the people, as we have pledged many times to do and to get Brexit done.”
If you would like to see how the day’s events unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:
European Parliament president says the assembly can ratify the Brexit deal by October 31
After speaking to EU leaders at a summit in Brussels, David Sassoli said "we're ready to do our duty, which is to examine the text and adopt the necessary procedures so that the time limits are respected".
He underlined that the European Parliament has "the final word, if you like, but the second to last word is in the hands of others".
If the agreement is approved by EU leaders and the UK Parliament, the EU assembly could rubber stamp the deal in Strasbourg next week.
Speculation over whether there will be a Final Say vote on Saturday
Sources within the People's Vote are suggesting they may not push for a vote on Saturday - after MPs won a bid to clear the way for backbench amendments to the PM's motion.
EU leaders approve new Brexit deal
European leaders have adopted the conclusions from this afternoon, European Council President Donald Tusk's spokesman has said.
All eyes turn to parliament now.
EU leaders give press conference in Brussels
Donald Tusk starts by confirming the EU has concluded its discussions on Brexit and endorsed the deal.
"It looks like we are very close to the final stretch," the European Council president says.
Tusk says the reason the deal has become possible because it has been backed by Ireland and the European Commission.
He also says the PM compromised by allowing customs checks on entering Northern Ireland.
It will enter into force on 1 November, subject to votes in parliament.
Tusk adds: "What I feel today is frankly speaking sadness, because in my heart I will always be a Remainer, and I hope that if our British friends decide to return one day our door will always be open."
Jean-Claude Juncker says the agreement protects citizens
European Commission president says the EU has always put 'people first' - and he is satisfied that EU and UK citizens will be protected.
He says the deal would not have been possible without Leo Varadkar, the taioseach, who they have worked closely with over the past few years.
"I am happy that we reached a deal, but I am sad that Brexit is happening."
Leo Varadkar says there will always be a place at the table for the UK
Taioseach says the past few years have shown what the EU can do when it works together. As the leader of a small nation, he says he has felt enormous solidarity from EU leaders.
Varadkar says he has mixed feelings today as he wishes Brexit was not happening but he respected the UK's decision to leave.
"It's like an old friend who is going on a journey without us... there will always be a place at the table for the UK", he adds.
Varadkar says many of the objectives have been met. There will be a transition period until the end of 2020 at least, and possibly into 2022, he says.
The decision moves to the UK parliament and the EU parliament now, says Varadkar, and he urges both to support it.
Michel Barnier says the EU persisted when talks with UK were 'difficult' but both sides have succeeded together
EU's chief Brexit negotiator says it has been an intense period of talks but both sides have succeeded together when the talks were 'difficult'.
Barnier says he deeply regrets Brexit but he respects the sovereign views of the UK. He repeats his view that it has been a lose-lose process.
Boris Johnson gives press conference after the approval of the deal
PM says this is a great deal for the UK and our friends in the EU. It means the UK can come out of the EU as one United Kingdom.
He says it will be a very exciting period now we are getting towards the positive side of things. The extraction now done, the building begins, he says.
He urges MPs to study it carefully and says he is "very confident" they will want to support it.
"This is our chance to get Brexit done".
PM admits this has been a difficult process. Brexit has been long, difficult and divisive - but this is our chance to move on, he says.
"I have to go to dinner," he says, just before taking questions from journalists.
Boris Johnson says there is a good case for MPs to back his deal
Asked if he was confident he could get the numbers, he says there is a good case for MPs to back the deal and there is no case for delay.
PM dodges a question on whether he has ditched the DUP from ITV's Robert Peston.
Asked if he requested EU leaders to rule out another extension, he says there is no need for a delay.
He refuses to get into whipping arrangements when asked if he will sack Tory MPs who oppose him.
He won't say whether he will let Tory MPs back into the part, whom he sacked.
The PM is asked if he is making the same mistakes as Theresa May by ditching the DUP. He says this is a good deal and the imperative is very strong to move on.
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