Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has voted for the Brexit trade deal, which comes before the House of Lords tonight.

The MP, who was elected just over a year ago, joined all the other first-term Tory MPs in voting for the deal negotiated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

This afternoon, Mrs Kearns posted a statement on social media.

She said: "It gives me immense pleasure to have today voted for our historic EU Trade agreement, which the Prime Minister and the negotiating team have secured in the face of many obstacles.

"This is a deal that supports our domestic interests, reinforces our sovereignty, and establishes a strong base for a healthy and productive future relationship with the European Union.

"This is a deal of which the Conservative Party, and the British people, can be proud. It delivers on the commitments I made when standing to be your MP and is the first free trade agreement ever agreed by EU with zero tariffs and zero quotas.

"Over the coming years I will monitor the impact of the deal on my constituents in Rutland and Melton. I will work to support our farmers to embrace the new freedoms this deal delivers and our businesses to export internationally and embrace the opportunities this deal offers.

"This just start of a new relationship with EU. But it's a good, co-operative & pragmatic start."

Mrs Kearns added: "Now is time for our country to come together and heal old divides. We're no longer remainers & leavers, we must move forward together to secure brightest future for our great nation."

Earlier today, the MP published a list of the recently-elected MPs who voted for the Brexit deal in a letter they sent to the Prime Minister.

Just after Christmas, several days after the deal was announced, Mrs Kearns told News: "Alicia Kearns MP said:

"We were elected on a promise to Get Brexit Done just over a year ago. That's what I did when I was first elected and my colleagues and I voted for the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement.

"In just nine months a trade deal with the EU has been agreed that delivers on our commitments to the British people. Many said it couldn't be done, and despite the enormous difficulties we've face this year we've delivered the first Free Trade Agreement ever to be achieved with zero tariffs and zero quotas. Now is the time for our country to come together, heal old divides, and more forward together to secure the brightest future for our great nation.

"I will be reading the detail of the deal over the coming days and spoke to the Prime Minister's team on Christmas Eve."