A LENGTHY extension to Article 50 has been ruled out by the European Parliament’s Brexit negotiator.
In a tweet, Guy Verhofstadt said it would be “unthinkable” to prolong the UK’s negotiating period beyond elections to the European Parliament at the end of May.
With new MEPs taking their place in Summer, that suggests July could be the latest Brussels is willing to go.
When it was triggered by a vote in the House of Commons, Article 50, the process for quitting the EU, started a two year countdown. Britain is due to Brexit on March 29.
Though Theresa May has agreed a transition period which would, effectively, keep the UK in the customs union and single market until the end of 2020, that only kicks in if MPs back a withdrawal agreement with the EU.
READ MORE: Michael Russell warns that no-deal preparations are ramping up
Reports earlier this week suggested the European Council president, Donald Tusk, would, if asked, convene a special leaders’ summit to push back Brexit day.
It’s understood this “technical extension” would only be offered for one of three reasons, a general election, a people’s vote or to get a withdrawal deal through
An EU official told the Guardian: “Should the prime minister survive and inform us that she needs more time to win round parliament to a deal, a technical extension up to July will be offered.”
In a series of tweets, Verhofstadt said: “It is not up to me, as a humble Belgian, to lecture Brits on what to do, but I think it’s time the national interest overtakes narrow party politics & cross party politics redefines the red lines imposed by hardliners in the Conservative party. We are ready for this.
“What we will not let happen, deal or no deal, is that the mess in British politics is again imported into European politics. While we understand the UK could need more time, for us it is unthinkable that article 50 is prolonged beyond the European
Elections.
“Deal or no deal, the @Europarl_EN will do everything to safeguard EU & UK citizens’ rights, as foreseen in the Withdrawal Agreement. If necessary, we will directly engage with the House of Commons to secure this.”
Dr Kirsty Hughes from the Scottish Centre on European Relations, said Tuesday’s vote made it very likely that the UK will ask for an extension, but she warned that the EU27 were under no obligation to say yes.
“If we ask for an extension without parliament indicating what it is in favour of, I think the EU will say no.“
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