UK PM's 'tidings of great joy' - the Brexit deal

In a Christmas message to the nation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told citizens he had a ''small present,'' showing the newly-agreed trade deal with the EU reached on Thursday.

In a video posted on Twitter on Christmas Eve, Johnson revealed with enthusiasm the document, which has not yet been released in full.

''And here it is, tidings, glad tidings of great joy, because this is a deal. A deal to give certainty to business and travellers and all investors in our country from January 1st, a deal with our friends and partners in the EU,'' he said.

Just a week before the deadline, Britain and the European Union struck a free-trade deal Thursday that should avert economic chaos on New Year's and bring a measure of certainty for businesses after years of Brexit turmoil.

Once ratified by both sides, the agreement will ensure Britain and the 27-nation bloc can continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas after the UK breaks fully free of the EU on January 1.

The UK and European parliaments still need to vote and approve the 2,000-page agreement.

The prime minister encouraged people to read the deal ''in that sleepy post-Christmas lunch moment.''

''And I believe it will be the basis of a happy and successful and stable partnership with our friends in the EU for years to come,'' Johnson said.