A Brexit deal has been agreed between UK and EU negotiating teams before the much anticipated meeting of European leaders in Brussels.

A tweet from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control.’ The two sides have been working on legal text for the deal, but it will still need the approval of both the European and UK parliaments. 

However, the Northern Ireland DUP has cast doubt on its success, saying they still cannot support it. In an earlier statement it confirmed that DUP could not back proposals as things stand. Following the PM’s announcement DUP have again confirmed that their earlier statement will still stand.

Commenting on the news, Ian Wright CBE, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation said: “The UK’s food and drink manufacturers will welcome the news that a deal has been struck. 

“They will hope that this means, definitively, that a no-deal exit on 31st October cannot happen.  Our focus now switches to whether this deal can command the support of the UK Parliament, and what the detail of the deal means for our members. Their objectives are securing frictionless trade and regulatory alignment with the EU, our largest market. They also must have access to the workers our industry needs.”