London: On Tuesday, Downing Street confirmed that British Prime Minister Theresa May will write to European Council President Donald Tusk asking for delay in Britain's departure from the bloc. The latest development came after the decision by the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow which came up as a complete surprise. He had asked May to stop putting forward her Brexit deal to politicians for a third time.
Quoting an official Downing Street spokesman, media in London said that it has descended Britain into a constitutional crisis. Media from all-around the world came together on Westminster expecting May to present her deal to politicians for a third time either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Westminster is a government area near Buckingham Palace. Her deal had already seen defeat by a record 230 in first attempt and with 149 in the second.
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There was an urgent Cabinet meeting of May's most senior ministers to discuss the crisis at 10 Downing Street. On Monday, Bercow had ruled that he would block May from presenting her deal for a vote by MPs unless it was substantially different to the deals that have already been rejected. May official spokesman, after the conclusion of the urgent Cabinet meeting, confirmed that the Prime Minister will write to Tusk seeking to extend Britain's departure date beyond March 29. He stressed that the British PM has an "absolute determination" to make sure Britain leaves the EU with a deal as soon as possible.
The spokesman refused to elaborate the length of a delay. However, last week, May had said if her deal is not ratified by the British Parliament, she would like an extension running until June 30 or for a longer period.
Meanwhile, EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier at a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday clearly stated that May should not take it for granted that the EU will agree to an extension of Britain's departure date, scheduled in just 10 days. He said that delaying Brexit could bring economic and political costs, and the EU would want reasons for an extension.
Any extension will require the support of the other 27 EU members. May will be meeting the leaders of the other 27 EU members at an EU summit taking place on Thursday.