London insists UK leaving EU on October 31, despite delay request – World

A defiant British government doubled on Sunday and insisted it would leave the European Union within 11 days despite the fact that parliament forced a reluctant prime minister to request another delay.

On a day of great drama on Saturday, the parliamentarians of the House of Commons missed the opportunity to decide on the revised withdrawal agreement that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had negotiated with the European Union.

That defeat leaves Johnson under increasing pressure to find a way out of the paralyzing stalemate about when and how Britain would leave the EU bloc after the British voted to leave for a 2016 referendum.

Late on Saturday, Johnson reluctantly sent the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, a letter that Parliament legally imposed requesting an extension, but refused to sign it.

The conservative leader sent a second signed letter insisting that he was not seeking an extension of the Brexit deadline, which has already been postponed twice, warning that "a new extension would damage the interests of the United Kingdom and our partners EU".

Having failed to endorse a divorce agreement, which Johnson had secured on Thursday, they triggered a law that required him to write to EU leaders asking to delay Brexit, to avoid the risk of Britain failing in less than fifteen days.

Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, head of government planning for Brexit, was adamant that Britain would leave the EU on time.

"Yes. We are going to leave on October 31. We have the means and the ability to do so," he said. Sky news television.

EU & # 39; fed up & # 39 ;: Raab

The government will present this week the internal legislation necessary to implement the divorce agreement, with a first vote on Tuesday.

Separately, it is seeking a new yes or no vote to approve the agreement on Monday, although this may be detrimental to parliamentary procedure.

“If we pass the legislation, then there is no extension. October 31 is in sight, "Gove said.

He said it was dangerous to assume that the other 27 EU leaders would grant an extension.

More than three years after the June 2016 vote to leave the EU, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. BBC television that, because of its conversations with other EU capitals, "are fed up with this now, and we are fed up with that."

Johnson's number two added that he was "sure" to leave on October 31.

The main Labor opposition criticized Johnson's agreement as a "total sale" and voted in favor of the delay.

However, senior officials hinted on Sunday that they could let it pass, subject to amendments that include a second referendum that faces a divorce agreement against staying in the block after all.

"What we are trying to achieve is that this particular agreement, but any agreement, is presented against Remain in a referendum," said Brexit party spokesman Keir Starmer. BBC.

"And we will have to see tactically how we got there." Johnson "could even meet the deadline," said finance spokesman John McDonnell Sky news.

Europe reflects on the answer

Brussels officials continued with their plans to ratify the divorce agreement while European leaders considered Johnson's request for delay.

Ambassadors and senior officials from the other 27 member states met on Sunday.

"The EU keeps all options open and, therefore, has initiated the ratification process so that it can be delivered to the European Parliament on Monday," said an EU diplomat. AFP.

"The EU will probably follow this strategy until there is clarity on the British side," he said, on condition of anonymity.

Tusk will spend a few "days" examining the leaders of the member states, and diplomats said this would mean that the British parliament will have to vote again on Brexit before hearing its decision on the October 31 game.

Parliamentarians voted 322 votes in favor against 306 on Saturday to support the amendment by former conservative parliamentarian Oliver Letwin to gain extra time.

Letwin said he would now change and vote for the agreement. Former Interior Minister Amber Rudd said the same, which means that Johnson has only a few votes.

The Brexit date has already been delayed twice since March 29, to the fury of those who wanted to chart their own course and leave the European project after almost 50 years.