Brexit news: Theresa May to write to Tusk as exasperated EU leaders demand 'clarity' over delay plan
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Theresa May is set to write to European Commission president Donald Tusk to lay out the government's plan for delaying Brexit.
The cabinet spent 90 minutes discussing the issue this morning but reportedly did not reach a conclusion on the possible length of the extension.
It comes as European leaders signalled that they may not agree to the UK’s request for a delay to Britain's departure from the bloc, which was originally expected on March 29.
German Europe minister Michel Roth said EU leaders were “really exhausted” with the Brexit saga and and demanded “clear and precise” proposals from the UK government.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has signalled that ministers will continue to press on with Theresa May's Brexit deal despite the Commons Speaker's bombshell intervention.
Speaking on Sky News, Mr Barclay said:
"What we need to do is secure the deal. This is the only deal on the table. The EU is clear it is the only deal on the table.
Business need the certainty of this deal and it is time that Parliament comes together and gets behind it."
Mr Barclay added:
"What the Speaker has said in his ruling is there needs to be something that is different. You can have the same motion but where the circumstances have changed.
"So we need to look at the details of the ruling, we need to consider that in the terms of earlier rulings that don't particularly align with yesterday's.
"The fact a number of Members of Parliament have said that they will change their votes points to the fact that there are things that are different."
The European Union needs clarity from London on Brexit, a Romanian minister said in Brussels on Tuesday before chairing talks among his European peers.
George Ciamba, EU affairs minister for Romania, which now holds the bloc's rotating presidency, said:
"We need to have more clarity from London. Clearly, there is no clarity, there is less clarity today than there was yesterday.
It's about political will and a little bit more clarity about what Europe could do ... There are things we cannot do, like renegotiating the withdrawal agreement."
Here is Sean O'Grady, The Independent's Associate Editor, with his column on John Bercow's ruling
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will meet leaders of the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and Green Party to discuss Brexit.
In a joint statement ahead of the talks, Ian Blackford, Sir Vince Cable, Liz Saville Roberts and Caroline Lucas said: "The UK faces an unprecedented crisis with Brexit, and Westminster remains deeply divided.
"The best and most democratic way forward is to put the decision back to the people in a new vote - with the option to Remain on the ballot paper."
Tory MP Nick Boles has had his say on the current Brexit crisis
Cabinet ministers have revealed that Theresa May is to force third vote on Brexit deal in defiance of John Bercow ruling. Here is the full story from our Deputy Political Editor, Rob Merrick:
Here is John Bercow delivering his intervention in the House of Commons:
European Union leaders are unlikely this week to grant an extension to Britain's departure date from the bloc, according to ITV's political editor, Robert Peston.
Tory MP Sam Gyimah has accused the government of running down the clock and said their actions have "not been in the national interest".
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