diff --git a/editor/modes/visual-editor/index.js b/editor/modes/visual-editor/index.js
index d1edd5a1becb08..3b0d36840431b7 100644
--- a/editor/modes/visual-editor/index.js
+++ b/editor/modes/visual-editor/index.js
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ class VisualEditor extends Component {
 					'mod+shift+z': this.undoOrRedo,
 					backspace: this.deleteSelectedBlocks,
 					del: this.deleteSelectedBlocks,
+					escape: this.props.clearSelectedBlock,
 				} } />
 				<WritingFlow>
 					<PostTitle />
diff --git a/test/e2e/integration/003-multi-block-selection.js b/test/e2e/integration/003-multi-block-selection.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..dc721b5f63895b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/e2e/integration/003-multi-block-selection.js
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+describe( 'Multi-block selection', () => {
+	before( () => {
+		cy.newPost();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'Should select/unselect multiple blocks', () => {
+		const lastBlockSelector = '.editor-visual-editor__block-edit:last [contenteditable="true"]:first';
+		const firstBlockContainerSelector = '.editor-visual-editor__block:first';
+		const lastBlockContainerSelector = '.editor-visual-editor__block:last';
+		const multiSelectedCssClass = 'is-multi-selected';
+
+		// Creating test blocks
+		// Using the placeholder
+		cy.get( '[value="Write your story"]' ).click();
+		cy.get( lastBlockSelector ).type( 'First Paragraph' );
+
+		// Using the quick inserter
+		cy.get( '.editor-visual-editor__inserter [aria-label="Insert Paragraph"]' ).click();
+		cy.get( lastBlockSelector ).type( 'Second Paragraph' );
+
+		// Default: No selection
+		cy.get( firstBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'not.have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'not.have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+
+		// Multiselect via Shift + click
+		cy.get( firstBlockContainerSelector ).click();
+		cy.get( 'body' ).type( '{shift}', { release: false } );
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).click();
+
+		// Verify selection
+		cy.get( firstBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+
+		// Unselect
+		cy.get( 'body' ).type( '{shift}' ); // releasing shift
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).click();
+
+		// No selection
+		cy.get( firstBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'not.have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'not.have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+
+		// Multiselect via keyboard
+		// Mac uses meta modifier so we press both here
+		cy.get( 'body' ).type( '{ctrl}a' );
+		cy.get( 'body' ).type( '{meta}a' );
+
+		// Verify selection
+		cy.get( firstBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+
+		// Unselect
+		cy.get( 'body' ).type( '{esc}' );
+
+		// No selection
+		cy.get( firstBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'not.have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+		cy.get( lastBlockContainerSelector ).should( 'not.have.class', multiSelectedCssClass );
+	} );
+} );