European Parliament backs Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal

The European Parliament has set the seal on Britain’s departure from the EU, voting overwhelmingly to back Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.

MEPs, sitting in Brussels, voted by 621 to 49 in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement, paving the way for Britain to leave on Friday with a deal in place.

There were emotional scenes in the parliament as the result was announced with MEPs linking hands to sing a final chorus of Auld Lang Syne.

In contrast, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was greeted by cheers and the waving of Union Flags by his party’s MEPs as he declared Britain was “never coming back”.