The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and the European Union, clearing the last hurdle towards full ratification of the accord.

The vote is the formal end of a Brexit process that began nearly five years ago. But mutual mistrust remains high.

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly backed the post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and the European Union, clearing the last hurdle towards its ratification, while expressing clear mistrust of the British government.

But EU warns ‘faithful implementation’ needed by UK amid concerns saga is not over.

The European Parliament is expected to ratify the post-Brexit EU-UK trade deal, amid tensions including a French threat of reprisals against the UK.

THE European Union’s top official warned that the Brexit trade deal has “real teeth” and Brussels will not hesitate to take action if Boris Johnson breaches its terms.

European Parliament votes to give consent to the Brexit deal. / European Commission president speaks to lawmakers before vote.

"Brexit is a historic mistake. It was pushed through by irresponsible nationalism, based on false promises and shortsightedness," declared Austrian MEP Andreas Schieder who helped prepare the vote. / "Brexit is bad for Britain and Brexit is bad for Europe," he said.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) has urged Britain to stick to the post-Brexit trade deal ahead of a key debate and vote in the European Parliament on Tuesday to ratify the agreement. / "It is absolutely counter-productive that the British Prime Minister is constantly threatening to breach the agreement," BDI Managing Director Joachim Lang told dpa.

The deal, which the U.K. has already ratified, conditionally came into force at the start of 2021.

The European parliament has refused to set a date to ratify the Brexit deal for a second time, amid concerns the UK is not implementing it properly.

Senior MEP says ‘cool heads must prevail’ in holding UK to commitments.

Lords committee chair highlights concern EU parliament may delay trade deal ratification.

‘Recent developments with the UK don’t provide positive signs for us to agree on a date,’ says Parliament spokesperson.

Big majority in EU parliament vote for corporate due diligence along entire supply chains, including for UK businesses.

The European Union has promised legal action after the British government unilaterally extended a grace period for checks on food imports to Northern Ireland, a move that Brussels said breached the terms of London’s EU divorce deal.

Lord Frost said on Wednesday that the UK was unilaterally extending "grace periods" designed to ease trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The European Commission says it's now working on 'infringement proceedings'

The British Government has extended the grace period before companies have to start implementing the deal.

Group leaders have paused the ratification process amid the latest row

MEPs have voted to add British overseas territories such as the British Virgin Islands, Guernsey, and Jersey to its post-Brexit tax havens blacklist.

UK overseas territories such as Cayman Islands also may lose protection once afforded by UK’s EU membership.

Britain risks weeks without trade transition plans from 1 January after missing EU parliament Sunday deadline.