MEMBERS of the European Parliament voted to back the terms for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on Friday – and followed up proceedings with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Following an emotional debate, MEPs overwhelmingly backed the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement by 621 votes to 49.

They then stood up and joined hands as the poignant traditional Burns song rang out across the chamber.

In contrast, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was greeted by cheers and the waving of Union flags by his party’s MEPs as he declared Britain was “never coming back”.

Their triumphal display drew a rebuke from the chair.

WATCH: MEPs sing Auld Lang Syne after backing Withdrawal Agreement

Later on, emotional Scottish MEPs could be seen hugging amidst tears outside the EU Parliament in Brussels, following today’s backing of the UK’s withdrawal terms.

In a video shared by the BBC’s Glenn Campbell, SNP MEPs hug each other while a piper plays a medley of Flower of Scotland and the EU’s anthem, Ode to Joy.

In her final speech to the European Parliament, Aileen McLeod said that she looked forward to the return of an independent Scotland to the EU.

“As a Scottish MEP, I will be voting against the Withdrawal Agreement, as the majority of my country has mandated me to do,” she said.

“The people of Scotland have consistently voted against Brexit. Scotland’s parliament has refused to give its consent to this Brexit deal.

“And the tragedy for Scotland is that on Friday, Scotland will be dragged out of the EU against the democratic wishes of our people.

“Scotland is a European nation, and I look forward to an independent Scotland rejoining the EU – and we will, soon.”

Earlier in the debate, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was determined the EU and the UK should remain “good friends and good partners”. She quoted the poet George Eliot, saying: “Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depth of love.”

She added: “We will always love you and we will never be far, long live Europe.”

The Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt said the departure of a country which had “twice given its blood to liberate Europe” was a “sad” moment.

He predicted, however, that the UK would eventually rejoin, with many British people deeply unhappy at the prospect of leaving.

The withdrawal agreement settles the terms of Britain’s departure, including future citizens’ rights, the arrangements on the Northern Ireland border and the UK’s divorce settlement.

It also allows for an 11-month transition period, during which the UK will continue to follow EU rules while talks take place on a free trade agreement.

Johnson has said he wants a comprehensive deal – covering all aspects of Britain’s future relationship with the EU, including security – by the end of the year.

He has been adamant that he will not contemplate any extension of the transition period beyond the end of 2020.

However, senior EU figures have repeatedly warned that reaching such a wide-ranging agreement will not be possible within such a tight timetable.