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The European Medicines Agency is quitting London for Amsterdam after Brexit , it was announced tonight.

Alongside the European Banking Authority, the EMA is one of two watchdogs which will leave London’s Canary Wharf when Britain leaves the EU.

Together the organisations employ around 1,000 staff.

The Dutch city was victorious after tying with Milan - with the result decided by the drawing of lots, diplomatic sources said.

Amsterdam beat a field including Athens, Barcelona, Bonn, Bratislava, Brussels, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Helsinki, Lille, Milan, Porto, Sofia, Stockholm, Malta, Vienna, Warsaw and Zagreb.

Meanwhile Paris won the vote to host the EBA after a battle with Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Prague, Luxembourg City, Vienna and Warsaw.

Both decisions were announced by the Council of the European Union tonight.

Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth said: “This decision is extremely disappointing. Labour has been clear all along that Britain should seek to maintain membership of the European Medicines Agency.

(Image: Getty)

“Not only will this relocation see the loss of almost 900 jobs from London, but Britain’s reputation as a world leader in the life sciences is under serious threat and patients will likely suffer from longer waits for new medicines."

Labour MP Darren Jones said: “Nobody who cares about the future of our country should feel anything other than dismay at the sight of over a thousand skilled jobs in Britain being auctioned off to other countries.

“But this is a direct consequence of the hard and destructive Brexit course this Government is taking.

“It could well be just the tip of the iceberg.

“A tenth of firms have already begun activating their Brexit contingency plans, with many more to come in the New Year. For many, this will involve moving jobs out of the UK to the Continent, as leaving the Single Market will mean that many areas of business will legally have to be relocated out of Britain.

“As voters see the Brexit squeeze continue to cost jobs and raise prices and that Brexit will cause real and continued damage to our country, they have a right to keep an open mind about leaving.”

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry chief executive Mike Thompson, said: “Congratulations to Amsterdam on their successful bid.

“Hosting the EMA is a singular honour for any city and we will do all we can to support the agency’s smooth transition to its new home.”

Mr Thompson added: “Today’s decision marks the moment when attention should switch to how patient safety and effective public health can be maintained during this complex transition and into the future.

“We now urge both the UK and the EU to put patients first and acknowledge that securing a comprehensive agreement to co-operate on medicines safety, regulation and supply is an urgent negotiating priority.”