European heads of Government have rejected British Prime Minsiter Theresa May's request for an extension of the Brexit deadline until the end of June, instead offering two closer dates for the UK to leave the EU formally.
If the House of Commons approves the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the British government and the EU next week, the UK can stay in the EU until a smooth transition begins on 22 May – the day before the European election begins.
'Way forward'
"The European Council agrees to an extension until 22 May 2019, provided the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by the House of Commons next week," according to the conclusions of the European Council held in Brussels this Thursday. "If the Withdrawal Agreement is not approved by the House of Commons next week, the European Council agrees to an extension until 12 April 2019 and expects the United Kingdom to indicate a way forward before this date for consideration by the European Council."
This means that if MPs don't agree to the deal, then their country may crash out on 12 April. However, 12 April is also the deadline for the UK to choose a third option: take part in the European election and stay in the EU for much longer.
Until this date, all options will remain open
"Until this date, all options will remain open and the cliff-edge date will be delayed," said European Council president Donald Tusk. These options include deal, no-deal, a long extension or revoking Article 50 which triggers the UK's exit from the EU, he explained.
The Council has ruled out re-opening talks with the UK on the Withdrawal Agreement. "There is no more that we can give," said European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
Complicated
Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said that the 30 June extension requested by Prime Minister May would have been complicated. Legal advice given to the European Commission said the UK would have to fight the European election if they remained beyond 22 May.
Mairead McGuinness MEP said that if the exit date had been extended to 30 June without the UK holding European elections, the decision would have faced a legal challenge.
Frustration
There was palpable frustration with the lack of clarity in the corridors of Brussels as the summit unfolded, with one commentator comparing the UK with "that friend who slaps their knee and loudly proclaims, 'Right, I'm away,' but then just carries on sitting there".
Additional reporting by Barry Cassidy in Brussels.
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Brexit: fatigue and frustration among EU member states – McGuinness
European heads of Government have rejected British Prime Minsiter Theresa May's request for an extension of the Brexit deadline until the end of June, instead offering two closer dates for the UK to leave the EU formally.
If the House of Commons approves the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the British government and the EU next week, the UK can stay in the EU until a smooth transition begins on 22 May – the day before the European election begins.
'Way forward'
"The European Council agrees to an extension until 22 May 2019, provided the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by the House of Commons next week," according to the conclusions of the European Council held in Brussels this Thursday. "If the Withdrawal Agreement is not approved by the House of Commons next week, the European Council agrees to an extension until 12 April 2019 and expects the United Kingdom to indicate a way forward before this date for consideration by the European Council."
This means that if MPs don't agree to the deal, then their country may crash out on 12 April. However, 12 April is also the deadline for the UK to choose a third option: take part in the European election and stay in the EU for much longer.
Until this date, all options will remain open
"Until this date, all options will remain open and the cliff-edge date will be delayed," said European Council president Donald Tusk. These options include deal, no-deal, a long extension or revoking Article 50 which triggers the UK's exit from the EU, he explained.
The Council has ruled out re-opening talks with the UK on the Withdrawal Agreement. "There is no more that we can give," said European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
Complicated
Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said that the 30 June extension requested by Prime Minister May would have been complicated. Legal advice given to the European Commission said the UK would have to fight the European election if they remained beyond 22 May.
Mairead McGuinness MEP said that if the exit date had been extended to 30 June without the UK holding European elections, the decision would have faced a legal challenge.
Frustration
There was palpable frustration with the lack of clarity in the corridors of Brussels as the summit unfolded, with one commentator comparing the UK with "that friend who slaps their knee and loudly proclaims, 'Right, I'm away,' but then just carries on sitting there".
Additional reporting by Barry Cassidy in Brussels.
Read more
Brexit: what options does Theresa May have?
UK will not source alternative beef and dairy overnight - Hogan
Brexit: fatigue and frustration among EU member states – McGuinness
SHARING OPTIONS