Latest: Approved Brexit deal means we can leave EU 'as one United Kingdom', says Johnson

Boris Johnson said: “I want to stress that this is a great deal for our country, for the UK. I also believe it’s a very good deal for our friends in the EU.

“And what it means is that we in the UK can come out of the EU as one United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, together."

“And it means we can decide our future together. We can take back control, as the phrase goes, of our money, our borders, our laws, together.

“And we will be able to do free trade agreements around the world.”

Mr Johnson said: “I am very confident that when my colleagues in Parliament study this agreement that they will want to vote for it on Saturday and in succeeding days.

“This is our chance in the UK as democrats to get Brexit done, and come out on October 31.

“We’ve been at this now, as I say, for three-and-a-half years. It hasn’t always been an easy experience for the UK. It’s been long, it’s been painful, it’s been divisive.

“And now is the moment for us as a country to come together. Now is the moment for our parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done.

“And, as I say, to begin building a new and progressive partnership with our EU friends, with whom of course we share so many priorities.”

Asked about a possible Brexit extension, the PM said: “I don’t think that delay is to the advantage of the UK or indeed of the whole of Europe.

“I think people want to move this thing on, it’s been going on for a long time.”

Asked about why he is confident and what he will do if the deal fails to get support on Saturday, Mr Johnson said: “I think that there is, as I say, a very good case for MPs across the House of Commons to express the democratic will of the people as we’ve pledged many times to do and to get Brexit done.

“And as I have never tired of telling you, and I repeat again, I don’t think there is any case for delay. We should get on and get it done by October 31.”

Update: Mr Varadkar added: “There will be regulatory alignment on goods, so that any checks will happen at the ports, and a customs arrangement that allows Northern Ireland to stay in the UK customs territory but is organised in such a way that it allows them to benefit from any trade deals that the United Kingdom might do but still there will be no tariffs on trade between north and south and no checks along the land border, which is crucial from our point of view.

“Above all, our objectives as Ireland and as Europe have been met – citizens’ rights are protected.

“We have a financial settlement, there will be no hard border between north and south, the all-island economy will continue to develop and north-south cooperation as envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement can resume and continue. We secured the integrity of the European single market and our place in it and the common travel area between the UK and Ireland will stay in place.”

Mr Barnier thanked everyone who had worked to achieve the agreement, describing his team as “extraordinary”, adding: “Finally, like Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, I too very much regret Brexit.

“I deeply regret it. However, we respect it. It was the sovereign choice of a majority in the UK.”

Mr Barnier said he had a great deal of “admiration” for the UK, adding: “We will never forget the solidarity shown by the British in our darkest hour.

“I have great respect for statesmen like Winston Churchill, and many others. I have infinite respect for the UK.

“And this is why throughout these negotiations you will have never heard one word from me that was aggressive or indicated that we wanted in some way to be vengeful. That’s not my nature, that’s not the way I dealt with this, and it’s even more important for the future relations that we proceed with the same feeling of respect and admiration.”

Update: The Leo Varadkar has said: “I want to start by thanking Michel and the taskforce for the work they have done in recent years and their professionalism.

“I want to acknowledge the real hard work and deep patriotism of the Dept of Tasoieach and Foreign Affairs.

“I have learned two things about the EU while Taoiseach, the strength of the unity of the EU, how much we can achieve if the 27 work together with common objectives, a truly powerful force for good in the world.

“As the leader of a small nation I have felt enormous solidarity from my European partners, and I think it’s been demonstrated in the past few years is a union of peoples and one in which small states are protected.

“I have mixed feelings today, I regret the UK is leaving but respect the decision to do so, like an old friend going on a journey without us, and we really hope it works out for them."

"There will always be a place at the table for them if they ever want to come back.

“What we have is a revised agreement, a new solution, a unique solution which recognises the unique history of Northern Ireland, different from the backstop, more likely to be used to come into force and could become permanent, but only with the consent of the elected representatives Northern Ireland.”

Angela Merkel told reporters in Brussels that achieving the Brexit deal had been “real hard work”.

The German chancellor called the agreement “a compromise for all sides” but noted that it contains key demands from the EU side, including maintaining the integrity of the common market and preserving the Good Friday Agreement.

She called it “an opportunity to have good, close relations with Britain in future as well”.

Asked whether the EU’s apparent refusal to consider a further extension undermines the UK Parliament, Mrs Merkel said: “We will address any decision by the British Parliament and didn’t make any decision today for any eventuality.”

Earlier: Donald Tusk 'feels sadness' as EU leaders approve new Brexit deal

EU leaders have approved the new Brexit deal, European Council President Donald Tusk’s spokesman has said.

Speaking at a press conference alongside European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, European Council President Donald Tusk said: “On a more personal note I feel sadness, in my heart I will always be a Remainer, and for our British friends, our door will always be open.”

Donald Tusk told the press conference: “The European Council endorsed this deal and it looks like we are very close to the final stretch.

“Why has a deal that was impossible yesterday become possible today? Firstly the new version of the deal has been positively assessed by Ireland.

“I’ve said from the beginning that we would always stand behind Ireland and not force a deal unfavourable to Dublin.

“Secondly the deal has been positively assessed by the European Commission. This gives us certainty that it is favourable and safe for the citizens of the European Union.”

Mr Tusk said the key change was Mr Johnson’s acceptance to have customs checks at the point of entry into Northern Ireland.

“This compromise will allow us to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland and will ensure the integrity of the single market.

“The reality is that today we have a deal which allows us to avoid chaos and an atmosphere of conflict between the EU 27 and the United Kingdom,” he said.

Mr Tusk said: “The EU side was from the very beginning flexible and open to solutions.

“Our compromise here, without our goodwill and constructive approach any kind of deal would not have been possible at all.

“We support a deal and this was a clear decision of 27 member states and we are prepared for ratification, now the ball is in the court of the UK.

“I have no idea what will be the result on Saturday, and it’s not for me to comment, but if there is a request for an extension I will consult with other member states to see how they react.”

The deputy leader of the DUP, Nigel Dodds, tweeted: “We will not support a deal which is detrimental to Northern Ireland, which damages our economy in the process and which tears up the Belfast Agreement safeguards upon which the power sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland depend.”

We will not support a deal which is detrimental to Northern Ireland, which damages our economy in the process and which tears up the Belfast Agreement safeguards upon which the power sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland depend.https://t.co/qrvoPzviyu

— Nigel Dodds (@NigelDoddsDUP) October 17, 2019

Earlier: 'It's up to the House of Commons now' - Taoiseach raises Brexit pressure on UK

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ratcheted up the pressure on British MPs to back the EU-UK Brexit deal by saying an agreement is now in place and that it is up to the House of Commons to back it.

Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the European Council building in Brussels for the EU leaders summit, Mr Varadkar confirmed "I'll be in a position to recommend [a deal]" today, saying:

"We have a draft agreement between the EU on one hand and the British government on the other, I think it's a good agreement.

"It allows the UK to leave the EU in an orderly fashion, with a transition period which is very important for businesses throughout Ireland and the UK.

"And it also creates a unique solution for Northern Ireland recognising the unique geography and history of Northern Ireland which allows the all-island economy to develop and protects the single market.

"So I'll be in a position to recommend to the European Council today," the Taoiseach said, adding a special cabinet meeting will also take place in Dublin today chaired by Tánaiste Simon Coveney to brief ministers on the developments.

Asked if the DUP could still "scupper" a deal, Mr Varadkar said: "I really don't want to comment on a position by any particular party, but obviously this now goes to the House of Commons and I think we should give them the time and space to think for themselves what is the right thing to do."

Mr Varadkar similarly said he has given no thought to suggestions the EU may be asked to give another Brexit extension if a deal fails to be backed by British MPs.

However, turning the focus on the House of Commons - a move that has been mirrored by other EU leaders and senior officials throughout today - the Taoiseach added, when asked if this is this deal or nothing territory, that it is up to MPs to decide.

"That's over to the PM at this stage... It's up to the members of the House of Commons now to decide whether or not they want a deal."

"That's going to be a decision for the House of Commons on Saturday... Unfortunately the House of Commons wasn't able to vote for the last deal, I do hope they will be able to vote for this one, but it will be a decision them."

While the DUP opposes the deal, they are unlikely to be able to block it without continuing to be backed up by Brexiteers who are coming under intense pressure to pass a deal and allow Britain to leave the EU on October 31.