SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has praised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for holding his nerve to sign a miracle post-Brexit trade deal with the EU - which he described as a ‘momentous period in our island’s history’. The deal was secured on Christmas Eve, a week before previous trading arrangements expired – and was overwhelmingly approved by MPs in a parliamentary vote to bring it into UK law. The agreement was reached after months of fraught talks on issues including fishing rights and business rules, and fears the UK would leave the EU without a deal. Scrutiny of the treaty then began in earnest when the 1,246-page document was officially published by a self-styled star chamber of lawyers led by veteran Eurosceptic MP Sir Bill Cash - before being backed by the Commons by 521 to 73 votes after Parliament was recalled.
Breakaway finally came nearly four-and-a-half years after Britons voted to leave the European Union
In New Year message, Mr Johnson called the departure an amazing moment , adding freedom is in our hands
Breakaway came as the port of Dover was pictured on Thursday evening completely devoid of traffic
From Thursday, many lorries will need a special pass, a Kent Access Permit (Kap), to leave the country
Britain finally broke free from EU rules at 11pm on Thursday, just a day after members of parliament voted through the last-minute deal Boris Johnson secured with the bloc to avoid a No Deal Brexit.
Boris Johnson hails an amazing moment as Brexit is finally complete marketwatch.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from marketwatch.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.