EU Council chief Donald Tusk announces emergency summit after Theresa May’s Brexit defeat
DONALD Tusk yesterday announced an emergency summit will be held on April 10 as Europe reacted to the PM’s defeat – and called for a year-long extension.
The EU Council chief said leaders will gather next month for a meeting to tee up a lengthy delay in response to Parliament voting down the PM’s deal.
Britain will be presented with a stark choice of crashing out just two days later – April 12 – or swallowing a prolongation of at least six months.
Poland’s PM Mateusz Morawiecki said Brussels will offer Britain a 12-month extension after MPs rejected Theresa May’s deal for a third time.
He said he hoped then that Brexit could be reversed altogether
Mr Tusk said: “In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, I have decided to call a European Council on 10 April.”
An official close to the Brussels boss added: “We expect the UK to indicate a way forward before then, well in time for the EU Council to consider.”
It is believed the UK would have to table concrete proposals by April 8 to give leaders enough time to consider them.
The benefits of the Withdrawal Agreement, including a transition period, will in no circumstances be replicated in a No Deal scenario.
Responding to the vote, the EU Commission warned no deal was “now a likely scenario” and ruled out any “sectoral mini-deals” to help cushion the blow.
The Commission pointedly told Brexiteer MPs that “sectoral mini-deals are not an option” if there’s no agreement.
A spokesman said: “No Deal on 12 April is now a likely scenario. The EU is now fully prepared for a No Deal scenario at midnight on 12 April.
“The benefits of the Withdrawal Agreement, including a transition period, will in no circumstances be replicated in a No Deal scenario.”
The Commission’s powerful Secretary-General, Martin Selmayr, warned of a cliff edge in two weeks’ time, saying: “12 April is now the new 29 March.”
Axel Dittmann, a German government spokesman on Brexit, added: “We deeply regret the decision of the Commons.
We are continuing to prepare for all scenarios including No Deal
Mark Rutte
“There are only 14 days left to avoid risk of no deal. However, we have prepared for all scenarios.”
Irish PM Leo Varadkar said: “It is not clear that the UK has fully understood that No Deal is not off the agenda. Rather, it’s a growing possibility.
“I believe we must be open to a long extension should the UK decide to fundamentally reconsider its approach to Brexit and put back on the table options previously ruled out.
Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the result as “very discouraging” and warned the UK and EU are now “almost out of options and time”.
He vowed: “We will intensify our no deal preparations.”
Dutch PM Mark Rutte added: “We are continuing to prepare for all scenarios including No Deal.”
Speaking after meeting with Michel Barnier in Warsaw, Poland PM’s Mateusz Morawiecki revealed he has been trying to persuade the PM to hold a second referendum or revoke Article 50.
NO DEAL IS LIKELY
He said: “We are open to consider a motion to extend the process of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU by six, nine or 12 months.
“These options are all acceptable, because we want the UK to stay, and if that would not be possible to have an orderly Brexit.”
Mr Barnier warned that the Commons’ failure to ratify the agreement yesterday meant no deal is now the “default option” and “more likely”.
The Frenchman insisted that the EU is “not a prison” and that Brussels is not trying to keep the UK in “against their will”.
He said: “Let me be frank, without a positive choice the default option will be a no deal which has become more likely.
“It was never our scenario but the EU27 is now prepared. What we now need is a positive choice to move forward.”
most read in brexit
Mr Barnier said that an “extension for several months” was also “one of the options” available to EU leaders if the UK agrees to their conditions.
He added that the EU was “open to work on the principle of a permanent Customs Union should the UK decide to take this path”.
He said a new Political Declaration containing Labour’s plan for future trade relations could be drawn up within 48 hours if MPs ask for it.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk