THERE'S speculation in Westminster that Theresa could be about to delay Brexit.
Facing almost certain defeat when her agreement with Brussels goes before MP, the Prime Minister is reportedly set to ask the EU to extend Article 50.
According to the London Evening Standard, Cabinet ministers, speaking to the paper anonymously, say that's partly because the UK isn’t yet ready to quit Europe, with at least six essential Bills that need to be passed not yet in the Parliament.
And Ministers say even if MPs sat at weekends and cancel their February break, there still likely won’t be enough time to pass the legislation.
A senior minister told the paper: “The legislative timetable is now very very tight indeed.
"Certainly, if there was defeat on Tuesday and it took some time before it got resolved, it’s hard to see how we can get all the legislation through by March 29.”
Downing Street denied the report, saying May had been “very clear” that Britain would be leaving the EU on March 29 as planned.
But the story comes after claims that British officials were in Brussels to “put out feelers” about the delay.
Adding to the speculation was an unexpected meeting at Number 10 between May and her Tory MEPs.
Earlier this week Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said a defeat for May’s deal next Tuesday would make the prospect of Brexit being cancelled “more likely”.
BBC analysis suggests the Government is on course to lose that by vote 228, one of the biggest defeats for administration.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel