The Labour peer, a longstanding critic of Britain’s decision to cut ties with Brussels, branded the Brexit deal the Trade Reduction Treaty and said he backed a cry to “get Brexit undone!” His exchanges with Tory Brexit minister Lord True came as Boris Johnson declared the UK’s destiny “now resides firmly in our hands” as his European Union trade deal cleared Parliament and entered into law.

The EU (Future Relationship) Act received the backing of the Commons and Lords as the Government rushed approval through both Houses in a single day.

It was announced that the legislation had been granted royal assent at 12.25am on this morning, signing the agreement finally reached between the UK and EU on Christmas Eve into law.

The Act paves the way for the deal to take effect at 11pm on tonight when the current Brexit transition period – during which the UK has continued to follow EU rules – ends.

The Prime Minister said: “I want to thank my fellow MPs and peers for passing this historic Bill and would like to express my gratitude to all of the staff here in Parliament and across Government who have made today possible.

“The destiny of this great country now resides firmly in our hands. We take on this duty with a sense of purpose and with the interests of the British public at the heart of everything we do.

“11pm on the 31st December marks a new beginning in our country’s history and a new relationship with the EU as their biggest ally. This moment is finally upon us and now is the time to seize it.”

MPs backed the Bill by 521 to 73 at third reading, while peers gave it an unopposed third reading late last night.

SCROLL DOWN FOR BREXIT LIVE UPDATES

8.45am update: Frexit movement turns to Britain for inspiration

France’s growing campaign to leave the European Union has urged followers to take inspiration from Britain’s imminent departure from the bloc.

The Generation Frexit group tweeted: “The sovereign wish of a people to live according to its own laws: the United Kingdom is renewing this fundamental right that the European Union confiscated from them for too long.

“Let France be next and #TakeBackControl as well, leaving this harmful, paralysing and ruinous EU.”

Generation Frexit founder Charles-Henri Gallois said: “If France is a democratic country we must also give voice to the people about our EU membership.”

8.24am update: Starmer strikes upbeat note as Britain prepares for post-Brexit future

Sir Keir Starmer says Labour will focus on ensuring “greater prosperity, fairness and opportunity” as the UK forges a “new path” in the world after Brexit.

In his new year’s message, the Labour leader struck an upbeat note, declaring the country’s “best years are still to come”.

He said: “The United Kingdom is forging a new path in the world.

“And the Labour Party that I lead will focus on ensuring that path leads to greater prosperity, fairness and opportunity for every nation and region, every village, every town and city that makes up our great United Kingdom.

“I believe this can once again be the best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in.

“And with that hope and that vision, I believe that our best years are still to come.”

His comments came after the party voted to back Boris Johnson’s EU trade deal, arguing that it was better than leaving with no deal, despite the misgivings of some of his pro-Europe MPs.

7.49am update: French minister insists Britain ‘punished itself’

French European Affairs junior minister Clement Beaune has insisted Britain has “punished itself” by leaving the EU.

Mr Beaune said Brussels did not punish the UK with the Brexit trade deal but had still managed to defend the bloc’s interests.

He said: “With Brexit, Britain is punishing itself. We weren’t trying to punish it.”

“Britain realised that having no access to the European market would be an economic disaster.

“This is why, in the deal that was reached, there is access to the European market, but while respecting our conditions and rules.

“This day will be historic but it will be a sad day because, when a country leaves the EU for the first time after 45 years of living together, it is sad.

“Brexit must be a lesson that we must push forward better, faster and stronger as Europeans.”

7.30am update: Lord Lamont calls for ‘more harmonious relationship’ with EU

Former chancellor Lord Lamont has declared it “time to let the grass grow over the Brexit battlefield”.

The prominent Tory Brexiteer made the plea as Parliament backed Boris Johnson’s historic post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

He said: “Historians may conclude that British membership of the EU was always doomed from the very start because the British view of the political destination of Europe was always different, although our establishment always tried to conceal this from the British public, particularly in the 1975 referendum.

“Nevertheless, the story of our membership has been one of endless arguments about further integration. From now on there will be no more British vetoes, no more British opt-outs, no more British triple locks.

“Now we can have a more harmonious relationship between two sovereign peoples.

“Far better to put the effort into addressing the international challenges that face us and also the domestic issues that cause so many of our fellow citizens to feel alienated and disillusioned, which is why they voted for Brexit.

“It’s time to let the grass grow over the Brexit battlefield. Let us all work to make this new partnership the success it ought to be.”