Chancellor Philip Hammond says Brexit deal better than staying in the European Union ahead of May’s summit with EU leaders

Chancellor Philip Hammond has said Theresa May's Brexit deal is better than staying in the EU, as the Prime Minister heads to Brussels for a summit with European leaders.

Hammond said he disagreed with Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster who said the deal was a worse outcome for Britain than a Jeremy Corbyn led government.

Hammond, who voted remain in the 2016 referendum, said he believed the deal was better than remaining in the European Union, when asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“I campaigned originally in the referendum to remain in the European Union, but the outcome of the referendum was that a majority of people in this country voted to leave,” he said.

“The country is split down the middle, and what we have got to do now is bring the country back together so that we can move on and take advantage of the opportunities that are available to Britain in the future.”

The support comes as leaders of the 27 remaining EU member states prepare to vote on the withdrawal agreement tomorrow.

Spain said it will vote down the deal unless it excludes Gibraltar, however May has insisted that the British territory is included in the agreement.