Johnson requests Brexit delay – UPDATE

UPDATE: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sent two letters to European Council president Donald Tusk – an unsigned message relaying parliament’s request for an extension to Brexit and a letter from him setting out why he does not believe delay would be in the interests of the EU or UK.

Earlier, Boris Johnson has confirmed in a phone call with the European council president Donald Tusk that he is sending a letter requesting a further Brexit delay beyond 31 October.

The Guardian and Politico reports that despite the prime minister’s insistence that he would not “negotiate” a further extension of the UK’s membership of the EU, he confirmed on Saturday evening that he would be seeking such an extension.

“Waiting for the letter,” Tusk tweeted. “I just talked to PM Boris Johnson about the situation after the vote in the House of Commons.”

An EU source, quoted by The Guardian, said that in the call between Tusk and Johnson at 8.15pm Brussels time on Saturday the UK prime minister confirmed that the letter would be sent within hours. Tusk is expected to consult EU leaders on how to react. “This may take a few days,” the source said.

The EU is waiting on the government to make the first move after the Commons put Johnson under a legal obligation to seek an extension.

Via Politico / Corporate Dispatch / The Guardian