Brexit has been sorted - sort of.
The historic news that a deal had been agreed between the EU and UK was confirmed by EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels this morning.
The only stumbling block remaining is the DUP, who, despite the high level confirmations, are this morning still insisting the deal is not there yet that they can agree to.
The EU Council meets this afternoon and it is expected the 27 EU leaders will formally give their stamp of approval before the day is out.
Mr Juncker said: “The negotiators reached an agreement on a revised protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and on a revised political declaration on 17 October 2019.
“Both were endorsed by the European Commission.
“The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom also signalled his approval of these documents to be signed.”
He also tweeted exuberantly: “Where there is a will, there is a #deal - we have one! It’s a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is testament to our commitment to find solutions. I recommend that #EUCO endorses this deal.”
Amid swirling rumours all morning, the EU chief finally announced the deal officially just before 11am after another frantic set of negotiations.
And almost simultaneously, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was caught rushing out of Number 10 Downing Street to catch a flight to Brussels.
Mr Johnson was pressed by UK reporters as he was ushered out of Downing Street, and in his typically brusque style, he said that a “great deal” had been agreed which would “take back control”.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has also arrived in Brussels this morning and is expected to brief Irish journalists shortly.
