Politicians across Kent have praised a deal on Brexit being struck between the UK and the EU after months of negotiations.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said the UK would rely on World Trade Organisation terms if a deal could not be agreed.

But this afternoon it was announced a trade deal had finally been agreed just days before the deadline of December 31 when the transition period officially concludes.

MPs across the county have celebrated the agreement following the country's vote to the leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

Ashford MP Damian Green tweeted: "It is a huge relief that the deal is signed, and everyone involved on both sides should be congratulated.

"Let’s use this to move on from the divisions of the past 5 years and make it a happier 2021."

Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat congratulated Mr Johnson and said the deal is a "personal and political achievement" for him, his Europe advisor David Frost, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti tweeted: "As someone who has campaigned to deliver Brexit & stepped down from Gov & party positions in 2018 over concerns on the backstop in draft WA & religious freedom point, I welcome the agreement reached with our EU counterparts which delivers on Brexit & delivers a trade deal with EU."

But North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale said the deal was "a great sense of relief rather than triumph".

"Common sense and common interest seem to have prevailed and we are now back where many of us wanted to be in 1973 - in a Common Market and not a United States of Europe," he tweeted.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said the deal is "not perfect but it is a big moment".

"This victory is a tribute to the ordinary men and women who stood up against the Westminster establishment - and won," he tweeted.

"There is no going back."

In a Downing Street press conference Mr Johnson said the UK had managed to “take back control” as promised in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

"We have taken back control of our laws and our destiny," he said.

"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.”

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the deal meant “EU rules and standards will be respected” with “effective tools to react” if the UK side tries to undercut Brussels to seek a competitive advantage.

“We have finally found an agreement," she said.

“It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it.

“It is fair, it is a balanced deal, and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides.”

There will be a five-and-a-half year transition period for the fishing industry, she indicated.

And co-operation will continue on issues including climate change, energy, security and transport.

Mrs von der Leyen said she felt “quiet satisfaction” and “relief” that a deal had been concluded.

“It is time to leave Brexit behind, our future is made in Europe,” she added.

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