So what’s next in exit saga?

AFTER more than three years of Brexit negotiations the saga is set to continue, starting from the week MPS return to Parliament after the Christmas recess.

Boris Johnson has set a rapid timetable to get Brexit done and the next stages of the Bill will return on Tuesday, January 7.

The Bill will be passed and concluded in the Commons by January 9 and then follow a similar timetable in the Lords, before getting Royal consent before the January 31 departure deadline.

After the deal has been passed in the UK Parliament it will also need to be ratified in the European Parliament.

It is expected to pass easily, otherwise there will be no deal and the EU will lose out on £39billion.

But this is only the beginning. After Britain formally leaves the next stage is to focus on trade and security. During this period Britain will enter a transition phase, following EU rules but not being a member.

Mr Johnson will put it into law that the transition will end on December 31, 2020, whether there is a trade deal or not. New European Commission president

Ursula von der Leyen and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier have so far insisted there is insufficient time to conclude a deal.

However, if one is not in place by the end of 2020 Britain could leave with no deal and potentially withhold promised payments.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson will order negotiators to work on trade deals with the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and other international partners.

The expectation is that these can be partly in place by the end of 2020, making an EU deal less urgent.

Sources believe this will put Brussels under greater pressure to compromise.

If a trade deal is concluded it will have to be ratified by EU andwestminster parliaments.

Hopes are that this can be based on an improved version of the deal struck between the EU and Canada.