US President Donald Trump confirmed the agreement in a call with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer which was broadcast live.

The secret conclave meeting – steeped in tradition and mystery – had only just begun some 24 hours before white smoke appeared.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister said it was ‘disappointing’ that devolved governments had not been told the agreement was imminent.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has berated a minister saying “we don’t do business like this” after the Government suggested a statement on the UK-US trade deal should be delayed. The Speaker of the House of ...