11/04/2019

New Brexit Deadline Set For 31 October

European Union officials have approved Prime Minister Theresa May's request for a six-month extension to Brexit.

The new deadline is now set for 31 October and prevents a no-deal exit this Friday.

It comes as politicians in Westminster remain in deadlock over the deal, which has been rejected by Parliament twice.

The agreement, reached at an emergency summit in Brussels on Wednesday, allowed an extension "only as long as necessary" and no longer than 31 October. The UK most hold elections for the European Parliament, and the European Council insisted there can be no renegotiation of the terms of the withdrawal agreement.

The Irish backstop has continually been a key sticking point in the negotiations.

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has said Parliament must use the extension to ratify the deal, and added that the upcoming European elections will "give people the chance to have their say".



(JG/MH)

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