Boris trolls EU with fish-print tie as Brexit deal is announced

Eagle-eyed press conference viewers may have spotted Boris Johnson's tie is right on theme.

Eagle-eyed press conference viewers may have spotted Boris Johnson’s tie is right on theme with the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

He was wearing tie patterned with fish – reflecting the huge sticking point on reaching a final deal between the UK and the EU over fishing laws.

It comes as he revealed the finer details of the UK’s exit from the EU from Downing Street on Christmas Eve.

The Prime Minister said: ‘I want to stress that although of course the arguments with our European friends and partners were sometimes fierce, this is I believe a good deal for the whole of Europe and for our friends and partners as well.

‘Because it will not be a bad thing in my view for the EU to have a prosperous and dynamic and contented UK on your doorstep, and it will be a good thing, it will drive jobs and prosperity across the whole continent, and I don’t think it will be a bad thing if we in the UK do things differently or take a different approach to legislation because in so many ways our basic goals are the same.’

There have been particular tensions around fishing while negotiating a deal – which suggests Mr Johnson may be wearing the tie in a subtle attempt to celebrate victory.

On fishing, the PM added: ‘For the first time since 1973, we will be an independent coastal state with full control of our waters, with the UK’s share of fish in our waters rising substantially from roughly half today to closer to two-thirds in five and half years’ time – after which there is no theoretical limit beyond those placed by science or conservation on the quantity of our own fish that we can fish in our waters.

‘And to get ready for that moment, those fishing communities will be helped with a big £100 million programme to modernise their fleets and the fish processing industry.’

The PM told the nation that a ‘Canada style’ deal had been agreed as he declared victory for Britain.

But both sides claimed victory as Mrs von der Leyen labelled the deal ‘fair and balanced’, while Mr Johnson tweeted a picture of himself with his thumbs aloft saying ‘a deal is done’.

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.’

The agreement comes just days before the transition period ends on December 31 and means avoiding the ‘nightmare’ no-deal scenario many have been dreading.

But despite the agreement, customs checks and some other barriers are still expected on January 1.

It took the country four years and six months in total to negotiate a deal, after the UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.