PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer’s new deal to trade sausages and arms with a bloc “dominated by big business interests, right-wing alliances and a constitution that explicitly privileges the rights of business” was slammed as a “horror show” today.

The Labour leader sealed the UK-EU trade deal with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at a summit in Lancaster House, London, proudly trumpeting benefits of its agreement on “dynamic alignment” with rules set by Brussels.

According to Sir Keir, those benefits would include pet passports for dogs and cats in the UK, allowing tourists to use E-gates at European airports in Europe, British burgers and sausages being sold in the EU again, and allowing young EU citizens to live, work and study in the UK and vice versa.

Boasting “Britain is back on the world stage” with a deal allowing British arms manufacturers to bid for contracts from the EU’s new £150 billion Security Action for Europe (Safe) fund, the Prime Minister said:  “It’s time to look forward.

“To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.

“We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home.”

Fishermen, who will now face EU vessels having free access to British waters until 2038 rather than 2026, remained unconvinced that their lives would be improved.

Scottish Fisherman’s Federation chief executive Elspeth Macdonald slammed the deal as “a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement.”

She added: “It is clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen and coastal communities, granting EU vessels 12 years of continuous access to UK waters at the last minute in order secure other objectives.

“This highlights the total indifference of the British political establishment to the interests of our fishing sector, with Sir Keir becoming the third prime minister after Edward Heath and (Boris) Johnson to betray the industry.”

SNP First Minister John Swinney who continues to campaign for EU membership appeared to agree, despite just 24 hours earlier calling for the “closest possible working relationship with the EU” and demanding the Prime Minister “drop his ideological red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.”

He said: “I’m very concerned about the lengthening of the agreement around fisheries, which seems to have been extended for another 12 years.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak welcomed the deal as the “important first steps towards a much-needed closer relationship with the EU,” after what he called a “botched Brexit agreement that set workers and business back at home and abroad.”

He added: “Ministers have made the right call by protecting jobs in key industries, such as steel, from being hit by carbon border taxes.

“A reset with the EU is common sense — especially in an increasingly volatile global economy.

“We are clear — today is just the beginning. Governments on both sides of the channel must continue with an ambitious approach, including a shared commitment to strong employment rights and collective bargaining.”

Professor John Foster, of Radical Options for Scotland and Europe (Rose), was far from convinced the deal would benefit either the cause of labour or of peace.

He told the Star: “The dangers presented by Starmer’s new economic and defence deal with the EU are long-term and political — even though Scotland’s fishing communities suffer an immediate blow as a result of the 12-year extension of EU fishing rights.  

“The agreement makes clear that there will now be a continuing process of re-engagement with a political bloc that is today even more dominated by big business interests, right-wing alliances and a constitution that explicitly privileges the rights of business.  

“A separate internal EU agreement at the weekend enables credit to member states for arms purchases from the EU’s own internal military-industrial complex, one dominated by France, Germany and Italy. 

“Leaving the EU offered the opportunity for Britain to adopt the kind of radical programme of democratic industrial regeneration offered by Jeremy Corbyn in 2017.  

“Denying the possibility of this vision can only serve the interests of Reform — and big business.”