Brexit: EU draft plans propose Brexit delay until May

The UK could be offered a Brexit delay to 22 May on the condition MPs approve the PM’s deal next week, a draft European Council document says.

EU leaders are still in discussions in Brussels over the UK’s request to postpone the 29 March exit date by three months.

However there have been reports that an extension could be offered until 7 May only.

The draft document says no extension is possible beyond the European elections.

In Brussels, Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to leaders to try to get their backing for a delay, after MPs twice rejected the withdrawal deal she has negotiated with the European Union.

She has told European Council President Donald Tusk that she needs more time to get her deal agreed by MPs and passed into law.

The BBC’s Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming said Mrs May had spoken to EU leaders for 90 minutes and was asked several times what her contingency plans were if she lost the third “meaningful vote” on her deal in Parliament.

He said he had been told that EU leaders were now discussing an extension to 7 May instead.

The BBC’s Europe editor Katya Adler said she had been told that a short extension until 7 May will be offered, unless by 11 April the UK says it will take part in European Parliamentary elections, in which case the delay could be until the end of the year.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that if MPs vote down Mrs May’s EU withdrawal agreement next week, the UK will leave without a deal.

“In the case of a negative British vote then we’d be heading to a no deal. We all know it. And it’s essential to be clear in these days and moments,” said Mr Macron as he arrived at the summit.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that a short Brexit delay “should be conditional on a positive vote next week in the House of Commons”.

“We have done our best, now the solution is in London,” he said.

Source: BBC News