Mixed reaction from across the political divide

The final decision on whether the UK leaves the EU with a deal or not will depend on how MPs vote tomorrow.

Scottish Conservatives, including Angus MP Kirstene Hair, said they would support the prime minister’s deal when it comes to the commons.

The SNP has tabled an amendment calling for an extension to Brexit to be followed by a general election.

In a surprising move, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said he now supported extending Article 50 and called for a general election.

However, the president of the European Commission, JeanClaude Juncker, said there would be no “prolongation” to the Brexit deadline.

When asked if he thought the deal might be upended by MPs tomorrow, Mr Juncker said: “I am not in charge of that, it is the job of Boris Johnson to get the deal through the UK Parliament. If it does not, there will be no prolongation. There is no requirement to do so.”

Mr Juncker does not have the overall authority to grant an extension as it would be at the behest of the European Union.

After MPs successfully passed the Benn Act before the “unlawful” prorogue of Parliament, Mr Johnson would be requested to ask EU chiefs for an extension if no deal is agreed.

SNP MEP Alyn Smith told The Courier it was unlikely to pass through the Commons.

He said: “The best deal, of course, is no deal. Everyone acknowledges this deal is worse than Theresa May’s, there’s no question.

“There will be a fair deal of shadowboxing over the next week. The EU will approve the deal to try and help get it through at Westminster.

“It is, of course, legitimate for the EU to want a deal and MEPs across the chamber are in different places with it.

“We know there is not a majority at Westminster, it is hard to say where the prime minister is getting his numbers from.

“The EU parliament will meet on Monday, hold a plenary debate on Wednesday and vote for it on Thursday – if approved.

“I believe 100% an extension will be given, to help find time for opposition parties to fix the fudgy mess it currently is.

“There is an excitement in Brussels as a result of Thursday’s agreement.

“But the deal gives Northern Ireland special status, it will be very hard to administer and the DUP position on it will be instrumental.

“All of the power, ultimately, is at the House of Commons.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “Boris Johnson’s appalling Brexit deal is even worse than Theresa May’s. It would be devastating for Scotland – dragging us out of the EU, single market and customs union against our will and singling Scotland out, alone of UK nations, for a raw deal, with our votes and voice ignored.

“The SNP will never vote for this deal, which would inflict lasting harm on jobs, living standards, public services and the economy.

“It is crucial that opposition parties quit dithering, back our amendment and finally act to bring this appalling Tory government down and stop Brexit.”

However, Ms Hair said: “I am delighted that the prime minister has negotiated the outline of a new deal with the EU. All parties involved believe it is fair and balanced.

“All eyes will be on Westminster this Saturday to deliver upon the referendum of 2016, after three long years of debate.

“It was incredible that Nicola Sturgeon immediately declared the deal unacceptable without time to even read through the detail. The country is so desperate to move on and will be exasperated by the SNP seeking to edge closer to a no-deal Brexit.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “From what we know, it seems the prime minister has negotiated an even worse deal than Theresa May’s, which was overwhelmingly rejected.

“These proposals risk triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections, putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers’ rights and opening up our NHS to a takeover by US private corporations.

“This sell-out deal won’t bring the country together and should be rejected. The best way to get Brexit sorted is to give the people the final say in a public vote.”

The DUP maintained last night it could not consent on customs issues.