The Guardian, BRUSSELSA somber European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel yesterday formally signed the withdrawal agreement as Brussels prepares for the UK’s exit from the EU in seven days’ time. In photographs issued of the signing ceremony in the EU’s Europa building yesterday morning, European Chief Negotiator for the UK Exiting the EU Michel Barnier can be seen standing behind the two presidents. The withdrawal agreement on Thursday received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II. Under the agreement, the UK is to leave the EU at midnight central European time on Friday next week. Johnson has said he will not take the option available to him in the withdrawal agreement of extending this transition period.
