Published 17:00 IST, October 20th 2019
Brexit: PM Boris Johnson forced to ask EU to delay exit date again
PM Johnson wrote an unsigned letter to the EU requesting it to extend the Brexit deadline followed by another letter saying he will not favour another delay
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As the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson is trying to make Brexit happen by the deadline of October 31, he wrote an unsigned letter to the European Union with a grudging request to extend his deadline. In order to win the Parliamentary backing as on October 19, the UK lawmakers voted in the majority for the amendment that supports Brexit delay with several weeks, PM Johnson requested a delay as required by the law. However, this letter was also followed by a second signed letter which indicated that the British leader will not be in favour of any other extension in Britain's divorce from the 28-nation bloc. The EU officials have reportedly not yet responded to his request.
PM Johnson can face legal actions
PM Johnson can face legal challenges from the lawmakers of the opposition who might feel that sending the second letter was done in order to get back at the Parliament for not approving his 'great new Brexit deal' in the rare weekend session of the House of Commons. The next session is scheduled on October 21 where the British PM will keep seeking support for his Brexit proposal which was also confirmed by the European Commission President, Jean Claude-Juncker on October 17.
Brexit delayed
In a major setback to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, UK lawmakers in British Parliament have voted 322-306 to delay Brexit. The motion was led by MP Oliver Letwin. PM Johnson faced a harsh majority when the Parliament voted to postpone the decision on Britain's divorce from the 28-nation bloc. It again clouded the referendum proposed by the UK PM to make Brexit happen on October 31. The Parliament gathered in a rare weekend session to go review the new deal Boris Johnson had earlier announced with the EU Juncker had termed as “balanced and fair”.
The House of Commons has approved the amended motion on the new Brexit deal agreed between the UK Government and the EU.
— UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) October 19, 2019
The Government must ask for an extension of Article 50 under the Benn Act and set out how it intends to proceed.
Amended motion: pic.twitter.com/6gMpUOSiBz
(With AP inputs)
16:23 IST, October 20th 2019