BORIS Johnson has praised the UK’s trade deal with the EU as a strong result for the whole of the UK – but it has already been criticised by the Scottish and Welsh first ministers.
A deal was announced this afternoon after months of talks and frantic last-minute wrangling.
A UK Government source claimed the deal delivered “everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum”.
Wales did vote for Brexit, but 62% of Scots cast a ballot for Remain in 2016 – the most decisively pro-European result across the four nations.
Johnson sung the praises of the trade agreement and promised it would let the UK “take back control”.
READ MORE: Scotland reacts as UK and EU secure Brexit trade agreement
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference he told reporters: “We have taken back control of our laws and our destiny. We have taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation in a way that is complete and unfettered.
“From January 1 we are outside the customs union and outside the single market.
“British laws will be made solely by the British Parliament interpreted by British judges sitting in UK courts and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice will come to an end.”
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wanted to remind people of Scotland’s position.
“Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that Brexit is happening against Scotland’s will,” she wrote on Twitter.
"And there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us. It’s time to chart our own future as an independent, European nation.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford echoed the sentiment, saying: “The UK is taking us out of the best deal possible that ends free movement, takes us out of the single market and customs union ending economic, social and cultural opportunities.”
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said a deal was better than no deal but criticised the timing just a week before the transition period ends.
“Clearly, we need to receive a copy of the draft treaty and analyse its terms before commenting in detail,” Drakeford said.
“But at every stage of the negotiations we have argued for a deal which would allow us to maintain the closest possible relationship with the EU. The evidence tells us this is the way to protect the economy and jobs.
“Faced with a binary choice between No Deal and this – indeed any deal – we would prefer a deal.”
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