UK, EU hail new Brexit deal, but Parliament sign-off hangs in balance

The UK and the European Union (EU) on Thursday declared that they have agreed a new Brexit deal for Britain's withdrawal from the 28-member economic bloc within the October 31 deadline.

While Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the agreement as a "great new deal", EU President Jean Claude-Juncker branded it a "fair and balanced agreement" as he recommended it for member-countries to be ratified at an EU summit underway in Brussels this week.

However, the new deal continues to hang in the balance as it remains to be seen if Johnson would have the required numbers in Parliament to get it through. He is faced with an open revolt by the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which supports his Conservative Party government in the Commons.

"We've got a great new deal that takes back control," Johnson tweeted, just before heading to Brussels to join other EU leaders for the crucial summit.

Juncker took to Twitter to say: "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."
In a letter recommending the deal to European Council President Donald Tusk, Juncker wrote: "It is high time to complete the withdrawal process and move on, as swiftly as possible, to the negotiation on the European Union's future partnership with the United Kingdom."