Anger as May hints at Brexit delay
Theresa May last night said she would seek a second short extension to Article 50, which could mean Britain does not leave the EU until May 22. This would allow her time for talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, she said.
She said she hoped to agree a way forward with Mr Corbyn on Britain's future with the EU.
Appearing to rule out leaving without a deal, Mrs May said if agreement could not be reached with Labour than a series of votes would be held in the Commons to determine the way forward.
Meanwhile, a leading Shropshire Brexiteer has accused MPs Sir Oliver Letwin and Yvette Cooper of mounting a coup over their attempts to seize control of the Brexit process.
Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, also warned that any agreement which involved signing up to a customs union with the EU would be a disaster.
Mr Kawczynski said only the Prime Minister's withdrawal agreement, or a so-called 'no deal' Brexit would deliver the wishes of the British people.
He said remain-supporting MPs of using every device at their disposal to thwart the will of the British people.
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said any further delay to Brexit would be totally unacceptable.
He said any deal which saw Britain tied into a customs union or subject to EU law would be totally unacceptable.
He said it was crucial Britain left on Friday next week.
Mr Kawczynski said people wanted Brexit resolved quickly so that they could get on with their lives.
But he said fanatical remainers were creating chaos with their attempts to block Brexit.
"These megalomaniacs are getting out of control."
"They are causing huge disruption to the ratification of the Brexit process, the are going against the wishes of the British people.
"I very much hope they will pay the price at the next General Election.
"I think what they are doing is wrong, it is flawed and it is undemocratic.
"They are mounting a coup, that is what they are doing."
Sir Oliver and Miss Cooper will tomorrow attempt to pass a law which would prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal.
The move comes after a series of indicative votes overseen by Sir Oliver failed to come up with a parliamentary majority for a number of alternative proposals.
It was thought another series of indicative votes were planned for Monday, but it remains to be seen whether these will go ahead following Mrs May's statement.
Mr Paterson said it was a misnomer to describe leaving on World Trade Organisation terms as 'no deal'. Several agreements had already been reached to ensure a smooth transition, he said.
"In reality, we are talking about having no withdrawal agreement, but a series of pragmatic mini-deals while trading within WTO rules.
"That is now the only option to the Prime Minister, it is the only way she can honour the result of the referendum. We must leave the EU on April 12."
He said threats of what would happen if Britain left without a formal agreement were just a last roll of the dice by the people behind Project Fear.
Mr Paterson added: "The Remain Parliament has once again failed to agree on the way ahead for Brexit.
"It is time for the Government to show leadership. The way ahead is now palpably clear."
Mrs May said she wanted any further delay to Brexit to be as short as possible.
She said a bill to pave the way for departure would have to be in place by May 22 to ensure the UK did not have to take part in European Parliament elections.
Mrs May said the ideal outcome would be to come to an agreement with Labour on a future relationship that delivers on the result of the referendum, which she and Mr Corbyn could put before the Commons for approval.
"However, if we cannot agree on the single unified approach, then we would instead agree a number of options for the future relationship that we could put to the House in a series of votes to determine which course to pursue," she said.
"The Government stands ready to abide by the decision of the House. But to make this process work, the Opposition would need to agree to this too."
Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, said none of the indicative votes which took place on Monday would deliver Brexit.
"In their different ways they all seek to delay, dither or dodge Brexit," he said.
"None take back control of our laws, borders, and money."
Telford MP Lucy Allan warned that if the Prime Minister's agreement could not pass through Parliament, then Brexit could be at risk.
"I fear there may be an extended delay to Brexit or no Brexit at all," she said.
