KEIR'S 'ABJECT SURRENDER' IS BETRAYAL OF BREXIT BRITAIN

THE PM's EU "reset" condemns the UK to a new era of Brussels rule, critics said last night.

- By Martyn Brown

Nigel Farage called the pact a "betrayal" and an "abject surrender” in the name of closer ties “to an ever-diminishing political union”.

Sir Keir Starmer, who backed Remain and fought for a second referendum to overturn the Leave vote, signed a deal with EU chiefs yesterday setting out a new, post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the bloc.

He declared “Britain is back on the world stage” at a press conference with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in London’s Lancaster House.

‘The Prime Minister labelled the agreement “common sense” and a “win-win” that would mean cheaper food and revive UK exports. Asked by a reporter if he had been “stitched up like a kipper” over the deal, Sir Keir said: “The deal will bring down and reduce bills.”

But critics claimed his “sell-out” for easier trade will crush UK fishing, drive up immigration and cost taxpayers millions.

Reform leader Mr Farage said the deal shows contempt for the 17.4 million who voted for the UK to leave the EU in 2016.

He wrote in the Daily Express: “It’s an abject surrender and Labour have well and truly sold out our fishing industry all in the name of closer ties to an ever-diminishing political union.” He accused the Premier of “bending over backwards to appease EU interests”. The pact includes a 12-year extension of fishing arrangements when the current deal ends next year, letting European vessels operate in UK waters under the same terms until 2038.