Brexit: EU would back extending article 50 if deal not passed soon, says Tusk – Politics live

Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Theresa May’s press conference at the EU-Arab summit in Sharm El Sheikh 1.57pm GMT Here are the main points from Theresa May’s press conference. On the procedural point, it is possible to do it either way. PM just won’t answer the question of what she would decide – would she choose delay or leaving with no deal if MP s kick out her compromise next monthNot surprising, because which every way she does answer it, there’d be fury in her party, but if she loses the vote before March 12th, she will have to decideOf course, I’ve also had the opportunity to discuss Brexit while I’ve been here. I held good meetings with President Tusk, Prime Minister Conte, Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Rutte, President Juncker and the taoiseach.There is still more work to do, and my team will be in Brussels tomorrow working on the legally binding assurances that the UK Parliament needs in relation to the backstop.An extension to article 50, a delay in this process, doesn’t deliver a decision in parliament, it doesn’t deliver a deal. All it does is precisely what the word ‘delay’ says. Any extension of Article 50 isn’t addressing the issues. 1.21pm GMT May’s press conference is over.“Highlights” is not exactly the word, but I will post a summary of the main things she said in a moment. Continue reading…
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