EU leaders are deciding Britain's Brexit fate tonight after Theresa May made a 104-minute pitch for more time to deliver the Brexit deal.
In ominous news for Remainers hoping they can cancel Britain's departure at the 11th hour, French President Emmanuel Macron warned there would be a No Deal if MPs turn the deal down for a third time.
The European Council was poised to offer Mrs May a delay to May 22 if she can get a Yes vote on the deal by next Friday - short of the June 30 extension she asked for - according to the draft conclusions of the summit.
But leaks tonight suggested the formulation has been torn up in the meeting and EU leaders are mulling a nine-month delay or a shorter one until early May.
EU leaders appear to be divided over exactly what to offer Mrs May, who is not in the talks because she had to leave after her presentation. The debate could go on for hours and the 27 leaders have to agree unanimously.
Despite hints there could be an emergency meeting of EU leaders next week there are no guarantees of any further help should the Prime Minister suffer a third humiliation in the Commons.
The third 'meaningful vote' already appears doomed next week after she angered MPs by blaming them for the mounting crisis. Some Brexiteer MPs who backed the deal on the second vote could return to rebelling on the third.
Reports from Brussels suggest Mrs May was 'evasive' and 'tightlipped' during the marathon session on what she would do if the vote fails, BuzzFeed said.
Piling pressure on to MPs ahead of next week's proposed third Commons vote Mr Macron said: 'In the case of a negative British vote then we'd be heading to a No Deal. We all know it', adding a longer extension would require 'a deep political change' in Britain - a nod to a second referendum or general election.
Other EU leaders queued up to deliver the same No Deal warning including Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel who said: 'You decided to leave - you want us [the EU] to be the bad guy. But if there is no deal [at Westminster] in days there will be No Deal. We can’t extend - for me it is then over'.
While European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was asked if he was tiring of Mrs May's political drama at home and said: 'I didn’t even know I had this much patience'.
The No Deal threats will excite Brexiteers but will be bad news for Remainers who are hoping that the EU will offer a long delay so they can push for the softest possible Brexit or stop it completely.
Mrs May yesterday begged the EU to stop the clock until June 30 - but arriving in Brussels today she wouldn't rule out leaving with No Deal next week if her plan is defeated in the Commons again.
The Prime Minister met with Irish Taoiseach Leo Veradkar and President of the European Council Donald Tusk before addressing the 27 EU leaders to explain why they should accept a three-month Article 50 extension.
Walking into the summit - which was meant to the last one Britain would ever attend as an EU member - she said: 'This is a matter of personal regret for me but a short extension would give Parliament time to make a final choice that delivers on the result of the referendum.'
She twice refused to rule out a No Deal Brexit on March 29 but added: 'I still want to leave with a deal'. Mrs May added: 'What matters is that we recognise that Brexit is the decision of the British people - we need to deliver on that. We're nearly three years on from the original vote - it is now the time for Parliament to decide'.
Theresa May (pictured at the EU summit today) made a 104-minute plea for more time from EU leaders today as draft conclusions from the EU summit suggest she will only get a Brexit delay until May 22
A smiling Theresa May says hello to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel as she asks the EU to delay Brexit until June
Mrs May was kissed by President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, who has suggested they will demand a May 22 Brexit rather than a June 30
The PM walks into the Brussels summit with Britain's ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, where leaders piled pressure on her to win an unlikely victory in the Commons next week
Theresa May sat down for head to head talks with Donald Tusk in the margins of the EU summit today (pictured) as she asks for a three month delay on Brexit
Theresa May has arrived in Brussels to request a delay to Brexit and refused to rule out leaving with No Deal in eight days. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured today) both says it's Mrs May's deal or No Deal
French President Emmanuel Macron struck the toughest note yet as EU leaders prepare to receive Britain's request for a three month delay to Brexit today saying if she loses in the Commons 'it's No Deal for sure'
European Union leaders attend the round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels. British Prime Minister Theresa May is trying to persuade European Union leaders to delay Brexit by up to three months, just eight days before Britain is scheduled to leave
Today Mrs May faces a torrent of anger from raging MPs who branded her a 'f***ing disgrace' for using a TV speech to scold them for not backing her Brexit deal and accusing her critics of playing 'political games' - with Brexiteers who once backed her pledging to swap sides and Remainers who could be swayed refusing to budge.
Tory MP Nigel Evans said today that a third vote next week may now go 'worse than last time' - a 149-vote defeat - and said: 'Reading the [Conservative] WhatsApp group I think the answer has got to be yes'.
As her deal is predicted to fail again, the CBI business group and TUC union have written to Mrs May warning: 'Our country is facing a national emergency - a Plan B must be found'.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted the PM is 'under extraordinary pressure' after failing to keep her promise that Britain would leave the EU on March 29 - and said her terse TV address reflected her 'extreme frustration' at the current Brexit stalemate, which he believes is 'sapping our national confidence'.
But Home Secretary Sajid Javid failed to defend her at all while on a trip to Basildon, Essex, and said: 'I've just come from Westminster to get away from Brexit, so I don't think it's appropriate to answer that question'.
Her Downing Street speech last night was meant to persuade Brexiteer Tories, Labour rebels and the DUP to back her deal - after the EU said it would only grant a short delay to Article 50 if the Prime Minister can win a vote on her plan before next Friday.
But it already appears to have spectacularly backfired ahead of today's crucial summit in Belgium with MPs branding her words 'toxic', 'contemptuous', 'incendiary and irresponsible' with former Tory minister Sam Gyimah, claiming 'some MPs are receiving death threats'.
The Prime Minister's deputy spokeswoman dismissed claims that Mrs May's attempt to blame MPs for the Brexit mess put them at risk of intimidation or attack and said: 'There is no evidence that is the case'.
As Theresa May's deal hangs in the balance, it emerged:
- MPs she needs to back her deal were incensed by PM's TV speech pitting Parliament against the people;
- EU leaders are standing firm that without a Parliament win for Mrs May there will be no Article 50 extension;
- Jeremy Corbyn meets Michel Barnier in Brussels and blames walk-out from No 10 Brexit meeting attended by Chuka Umunna on 'confusion';
- Dutch leader Mark Rutte says the EU will give Mrs May a short Brexit delay and claims MPs - not her - are to blame for her deal failing;
Jeremy Hunt said 'no Prime Minister in living memory has been tested' in the way that Mrs May has.
Defending the Prime Minister, who is facing calls to quit, he told the BBC: 'Let's not forget the extraordinary pressure she is under. She was expressing her frustration and the public's frustration' - but added: 'I don't think we should all make this about Theresa May'.
Tellingly the Foreign Secretary twice admitted it is not yet certain Mrs May can bring back her deal for a third vote - but said if it's defeated there are three options: No Deal, revoke Article 50 or a 'long delay' to Brexit.
The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels today to ask for an extension until the end of June to try to get her plan through arriving at around midday. She will address EU leaders at around 3pm.
Last night Mrs May appeared to misjudge a live TV speech by blast MPs for not backing her Brexit deal as she heads to Brussels today to beg for a three-month Article 50 extension.
Tory Remainer Sam Gyimah hit out at his party leader and said: 'Resorting to the blame game, as the PM is doing, is a low blow. Democracy loses when a Prime Minister who has set herself against the House of Commons then blames MPs for doing their job. It's Toxic. She knows MPs are receiving hate mail. We're repeatedly being urged to hold their noses to the stench of this deal and vote for it. That cannot be the blueprint for our great country and I cannot support it'.
Potential 'switcher' Lisa Nandy claimed last night that Mrs May had blown her chance and said: 'There's absolutely no chance she is going to win over MPs in sufficient numbers after that statement. It was an attack on liberal democracy itself. I will not support a government that takes such a reckless approach'.
But Brexit Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said today he believes more MPs will back the Prime Minister's deal after her intervention and insisted she has a 'good shot at landing the deal and winning a vote next week'.
He added: 'I don't think there is a blame game at all- she set out very clearly where we are in the process. There is a deal. If we get the deal through, we can get a short extension to the Article 50 process and we can leave the EU.
'I think saying: 'I'm with you' makes perfect sense. The cab driver who drove me here this morning said: 'I just want to leave…get the deal done and I want to be out of the EU'. The Prime Minister very much reflected that opinion, which is widely held. People are fed up…they want to leave the EU'.
Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin said he believed MPs would support a Norway-style Brexit deal and could seize control of Brexit, possibly on Monday.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that MPs needed to establish if there is a majority in favour of an alternative plan if the Prime Minister's deal is defeated again next week.
Sir Oliver said: 'I believe, for example, that we will probably on that day be able to get a cross-party majority in favour of what is sometimes called Norway plus and sometimes called Common Market 2.0, which is an arrangement where we remain in the single market and we have a customs arrangement with the EU and that has not yet been tested.'
Mrs May said she felt 'deep regret' that she needed to delay Brexit but again urged MPs to back her deal next week
The PM will meet EU leaders before presenting to the 27 heads explaining why they should grant a delay to Brexit
Prime Minister Theresa May walks to her plane at RAF Northolt as she heads to Brussels for an EU summit, which was meant to be Britain's last as members of the EU
Theresa May leaves Downing Street for Brussels as her Brexit deal hangs in the balance
Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement about Brexit in Downing Street last night. She confirmed Britain will not be leaving the EU on March 29 and Mrs May will seek an extension on the the UK's Brexit withdrawal until June 30. Jeremy Hunt said 'no prime minister in living memory has been tested' in the way that Mrs May has.
Tory Remainer Sam Gymiah hit out at his party leader and said: 'Resorting to the blame game, as the PM is doing, is a low blow' while Tory Brexiteer Henry Smith says that Britain must now opt for No Deal
Potential Labour 'switcher' Lisa Nandy claimed last night that Mrs May had blown her chance to win her and other MPs over
Last night she said the delay to the planned March 29 exit date, which she had promised to keep more than 100 times in Parliament, was 'a matter of great personal regret'.
DUP reject Theresa May's 'toxic' Brexit deal as support for the PM falls away in wake of 'misjudged' speech as she heads to Brussels in search of a withdrawal delay until June
Sammy Wilson said there was no pressure on the DUP to support a deal from Theresa May linked to a three-month Brexit delay
Theresa May's hopes of getting a Brexit deal through Parliament have been handed a devastating blow today after the DUP signalled that it does not intend to back it.
The Northern Irish party's Brexit spokesman said there was 'no pressure on me or my party to vote for this deal' as the Prime Minister headed to Brussels.
EU leaders are expected to make a three-month Brexit delay sought by Mrs May today conditional on her being able to squeeze a withdrawal agreement through the Commons next week.
But hardline unionist and Brexiteer Mr Wilson tore into Brussels, including European Council president Donald Tusk, accusing them of 'arrogance' over their offer in an interview with TalkRadio.
He said: If anything the arrogance of the EU negotiators … this arrogance is born of the fact that the EU see us as a bit of a rollover when it comes to negotiations.
But for anyone to say we'll give you a three month extension if you accept this toxic deal - I neither want this toxic deal nor the extension so there is no pressure on me or my party to vote for this deal, and certainly not on the basis of demands from Donald Tusk.'
The DUP has a 'confidence and supply' deal with Mrs May's Conservatives for its 10 MPs to support her in the Commons.
But they have so far voted against her Brexit deal twice because of their intense opposition to the provisions for the Northern Irish border backstop.
Even with their support Mrs may faces an uphill task to convince MPs to back her.
The PM hinted she would rather quit or leave with No Deal than allow delay 'to give more time for politicians to argue'.
Donald Tusk had raised the stakes by warning an extension to Article 50 would be agreed only if MPs approved her deal. This opened up the possibility that the UK could leave without a deal next Friday.
'I believe that a short extension would be possible,' said Mr Tusk, who is president of the European Council.
'But it would be conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons.'
He said the hopes of a deal now seemed 'frail, even illusory' but said the EU would not give up. He suggested an emergency Brussels summit could be held at the end of next week, just hours before Britain is due to leave, to consider offering the UK a much longer extension – at a price.
Government sources last night indicated Mrs May would make a third – and probably final – attempt to persuade MPs to approve her deal next week, possibly as soon as Monday.
Speaking 1,000 days after the UK voted to leave the EU, Mrs May warned MPs they would never be forgiven if they failed to deliver Brexit.
Addressing the public directly, she said: 'Of this I am absolutely sure, you the public have had enough, you are tired of the infighting, you are tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows, tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit when you have real concerns about our children's schools, our National Health Service, knife crime. You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with.'
Ministers still hope they can win the backing of the DUP and persuade more moderate Eurosceptics to back the deal. But they have all but abandoned hope of persuading the two dozen Brexit hardliners holding out for No Deal.
Instead they are focusing on Labour MPs, particularly those in Leave-supporting areas, who they believe might reluctantly back Mrs May's plan rather than allow the UK to crash out next week.
Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, tweeted: 'Theresa May knows that MPs across the House are subjected to death threats — some very credible. Her speech was incendiary and irresponsible. If any harm comes to any of us, she will have to accept her share of responsibility.'
Last night some MPs suggested her comments could backfire, with one warning they could spark attacks on MPs.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is urging Mrs May to give Tory MPs a free vote next week in the hope of making it easier for Labour MPs to vote for the deal.
In other developments:
- Jeremy Corbyn walked out of cross-party crisis talks with the Prime Minister last night in protest at the presence of ex-Labour MP Chuka Umunna;
- Reports from France suggested President Emmanuel Macron is ready to veto any request for a Brexit delay, meaning the UK will leave on March 29 with or without a deal;
- Arch Remainer Dominic Grieve said he was 'ashamed' to be a Conservative and warned: 'We are going to spiral down into oblivion and the worst part of it all is that we will deserve it';
- Mrs May held talks with opposition leaders in the hope of securing their support for a deal next week to prevent the UK crashing out;
- The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt said: 'The only relevant question now is if Prime Minister May can muster a cross-party majority by next week';
- The Liberal Democrats and SNP called for Parliament to prepare to revoke Article 50 'as a last resort';
- European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned that the UK would have to hold elections to the European parliament if it wanted to delay beyond May 23;
- Tory hardliners called for the Prime Minister to resign, with Peter Bone accusing her to her face of 'betraying the British people';
- A SkyData poll found that 90 per cent of voters believe the Brexit negotiations have been a 'national humiliation'.
Mrs May's decision to rule out a long delay stunned Cabinet Remainers who believed she was ready to sign up to the proposal in order to remove the risk of No Deal. The decision was taken by the PM in the early hours of yesterday and released to the media before ministers were told.
It came a week after her deputy David Lidington told MPs: 'A short one-off extension would be downright reckless.'
A senior Remainer accused Mrs May of caving in to Brexiteer Cabinet ministers, who had threatened to quit rather than allow a long delay. The minister said: 'No Deal has got more likely. The ERG hardliners are never going to vote for it now because they have got the prospect of No Deal.'
Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of the Conservatives, said: 'Why are we on bended knee to the EU begging for things we don't need?
'Next week should be a simple choice between her deal and No Deal. If it isn't then it will be a national humiliation.'
Another former leader, William Hague, warned that the chances of an imminent election were rising fast.
He also warned of a 'longer and longer' delay to Brexit.
Today's summit in Brussels now looks certain to set the stage for an historic and pivotal week in British politics as the Brexit endgame goes right down to the wire.
If no delay or deal is agreed with the EU before Friday, the law says Britain will leave without a deal - despite years of dire warnings about its impact on Britain.
If May's deal fails, the EU has not ruled out offering a longer delay but this would likely come with preconditions such as a second referendum. Alternatively they could choose to let the UK crash out of the bloc.
Donald Tusk made a short speech in Brussels today after speaking to Theresa May by telephone and following talks with EU leaders over the past week
Theresa May finally admitted she had to ask the EU to delay Brexit - having said 108 times Britain would leave on March 29
A smiling Michael Gove leads a charge of Brexiteer cabinet ministers leaving Downing Street including Chris Grayling, Liam Fox, Penny Mordaunt, Andrea Leadsom and Liz Truss (left to right) today after being summoned by Theresa May
In the Commons at PMQs yesterday (pictured) Theresa May condemned MPs for 'navel gazing' over Europe and said their refusal to pass the deal was to blame for delay
The Prime Minister's Brexit speech to the nation in full
The Prime Minister blamed for MPs for the country's Brexit chaos
The Prime Minister addressed the nation from Downing Street on Wednesday night. Here is what she said:
'Nearly three years have passed since the public voted to leave the European Union.
'It was the biggest democratic exercise in our country's history.
'I came to office on a promise to deliver on that verdict.
'In March 2017 I triggered the Article 50 process for the UK to exit the EU and Parliament supported it overwhelmingly.
'Two years on, MPs have been unable to agree on a way to implement the UK's withdrawal.
'As a result, we will now not leave on time with a deal on the 29th of March.
'This delay is a matter of great personal regret for me.
'And of this I am absolutely sure: You, the public, have had enough.
'You're tired of the infighting, you're tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows, tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit when you have real concerns about our children's schools, our National Health Service, knife crime.
'You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree. I am on your side.
'It is now time for MPs to decide.
'So, today, I have written to Donald Tusk the President of the European Council to request a short extension of Article 50 up to the 30th of June to give MPs the time to make a final choice.
'Do they want to leave the EU with a deal which delivers on the result of the referendum, that takes control of our money borders and laws while protecting jobs and our national security?
'Do they want to leave without a deal, or do they not want to leave at all causing potentially irreparable damage to public trust not just in this generation of politicians but to our entire democratic process?
'It is high time we made a decision.
'So far, Parliament has done everything possible to avoid making a choice.
'Motion after motion and amendment after amendment has been tabled without Parliament ever deciding what it wants.
'All MPs have been willing to say is what they do not want.
'I passionately hope MPs will find a way to back the deal I've negotiated with the EU, a deal that delivers on the result of the referendum and is the very best deal negotiable.
'And I will continue to work night and day to secure the support of my colleagues, the DUP and others for this deal.
'But I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than the 30th of June.
'Some argue that I'm making the wrong choice and I should ask for a longer extension to the end of the year or beyond to give more time for politicians to argue over the way forward.
'That would mean asking you to vote in European elections nearly three years after our country decided to leave.
'What kind of message would that send? And just how bitter and divisive would that election campaign be at a time when the country desperately needs bringing back together.
'Some have suggested holding a second referendum.
'I don't believe that's what you want and it is not what I want.
'We asked you the question already and you've given us your answer.
'Now you want us to get on with it.
'And that is what I am determined to do.'
'None of you is a traitor': John Bercow praises MPs hours after Theresa May lays the blame for the Brexit delay at their door in a TV speech to the people
John Bercow told MPs that he believed they were 'doing your best' after they raised concern at Theresa May's television speech last night
Speaker John Bercow has praised MPs saying ‘none of you is a traitor’ amid a row over the tone of Theresa May’s Brexit TV address last night.
The Prime Minister’s speech was branded ‘contemptuous’ by a Labour MP today in light of abuse and intimidation faces by MPs as she tried to lay the blame for the Brexit delay at the door of Parliament.
He intervened after Hull MP Diana Johnson called for a debate on patriotism, revealing she had been called a ‘traitor’ and received messages saying she should be ‘should be shot and hanged'.
He said: ‘None of you is a traitor. All of you are doing your best - this should not be, and I’m sure will not prove to be, a matter of any controversy whatsoever.
'From the chair let me say I believe passionately in the institution of Parliament, in the rights of members of this House and their commitment to their duty.
'And I use the word duty in the singular advisedly - the sole duty of every Member of Parliament is to do what he or she thinks is right.’
Jeremy Corbyn pulled out of talks with other opposition party leaders and the Prime Minister earlier last night after members of the breakaway Independent Group turned up to the meeting.
Chuka Umunna, the Independent Group spokesman, said it was 'extraordinary behaviour in a national crisis' by the Labour leader.
Government sources last night indicated Mrs May would make a third – and probably final – attempt to persuade MPs to approve her deal next week, possibly as soon as Monday.
Ministers still hope they can win the backing of the DUP and persuade more moderate Eurosceptics to back the deal. But they have all but abandoned hope of persuading the two dozen Brexit hardliners holding out for No Deal.
Instead they are focusing on Labour MPs, particularly those in Leave-supporting areas, who they believe might reluctantly back Mrs May's plan rather than allow the UK to crash out next week.
Last night some MPs suggested her comments could backfire, with one warning they could spark attacks on MPs.
Speaking in Brussels Mr Tusk said: 'In the light of the consultations that I have conducted over the past days, I believe that a short extension would be possible.
'But it would be conditional on a positive vote on the Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons. 'The question remains open as to the duration of such an extension.'
Eurosceptic Cabinet ministers were pictured leaving Downing Street in a seemingly jovial mood before Tusk's announcement amid claims some had threatened to resign last night if Mrs May had pushed for a delay of nine-months.
Their rebellion forced the PM to shelve plans to ask for a longer delay, while the Commons is seemingly still deadlocked with no majority for a deal.
Mr Tusk added: 'If the leaders approve my recommendations and there is a positive vote in the House of Commons next week, we can finalise and formalise the decision on extension in the written procedure.
'However, if there is such a need, I will not hesitate to invite the members of the European Council for a meeting to Brussels next week.'
This is Theresa May's letter to Donald Tusk begging for a delay and asking them for help to ensure her deal can be voted on for a third time after John Bercow made it 'impossible' not
Eurosceptics including Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom, Liam Fox, Liz Truss and Penny Mordaunt all left Downing Street together amid claims some had threatened to resign last night if Mrs May had pushed for a delay of nine-months.
The PM has also invited the leaders of the opposition parties including Jeremy Corbyn to discuss her Brexit delay at a 6pm meeting in Downing Street before heading back to Parliament to address her backbenchers and urge them to vote for her divorce.
But Remainers were less upbeat, with Tory former attorney general Dominic Grieve QC warning the Government's credibility 'is running out'.
He said: 'When ... the Prime Minister came to the despatch box today at PMQs, I confess I think it was the worst moment I have experienced since I came into the House of Commons.
'I have never felt more ashamed to be a member of the Conservative Party or to be asked to lend her support.'
He added: 'We really are, I'm sorry to say this, at the 11th hour and 59th minute, the Government's credibility is running out, trust in it is running out and unless ... the Prime Minister by some great exertion of will, and she has plenty of will and plenty of robustness, stands up and starts doing something different, we are going to spiral down into oblivion and the worst part of it all is that we will deserve it.'
Some MPs reacted with frustration on Twitter after the Prime Minister announced she would attempt to extend Article 50 until June 30 and proposed a third meaningful vote on her Brexit deal.
Labour's former minister Yvette Cooper said Mrs May was 'in the worst state of denial'.
'Truly shocking,' she tweeted.
'This is a Prime Minister in the worst state of denial, refusing to listen to anyone, just still doing the same thing again and again, no plan B, heading stubbornly towards the cliff edge.'
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron claimed Parliament is 'dancing to the tune of extremists' rather than listening to ordinary people.
'And there's the problem in a nutshell - the PM listens to (Brexiteer Tory MP Peter) Bone not Britain. We are dancing to the tune of extremists, not listening to the people.
Mrs May abandoned her plan to ask the EU for a nine-month Brexit delay or longer after furious Brexiteer cabinet ministers threatened to quit and told her the Tory party would only accept a wait until June.
She appealed for the EU Council – which includes the leaders of all EU states – to formally adopt the three extra documents agreed with Mr Juncker last week to pass Mr Bercow's ruling on a new vote being on a 'substantially different' purpose.
Mrs May's letter said: 'If the motion is passed, I am confident that Parliament will proceed to ratify the deal constructively. But this will clearly not be completed before March 29, 2019.'
Admitting the timetable was 'uncertain' she said: 'I am therefore writing to inform the European Council that the UK is seeking an extension to the Article 50 until June 30 2019.'
But that prompted France to warn it might block any request by Theresa May to delay Brexit unless she can give EU leaders 'guarantees' that it will lead to MPs passing a withdrawal deal.
ONE MILLION sign petition to cancel Brexit: Celeb Remainers Hugh Grant, Annie Lennox and Professor Brian Cox back campaign to avoid No Deal (but other names look like they've been added from North Korea and Afghanistan)
Celebrity Remainers including Hugh Grant and Annie Lennox are among more than one million people who have signed a petition today to cancel Brexit to avoid No Deal.
Grant claimed every 'sane' person in the country was signing the plea, which was also backed by Professor Brian Cox and Jennifer Saunders.
Rising rapidly every minute it passed the seven-figure milestone shortly before 3pm after Theresa May made a speech blaming Parliament for a delay to Brexit last night.
The petition passed 10,000 names on Monday soon after it was created. Parliament's petition site crashed repeatedly today as the number of signatures rose.
Despite verification checks including a signatory's post code and email addresses, the data from the petition appeared to suggest some names may have been added from overseas. The rule of Parliament's petition site say only UK citizens can sign.
As people flocked to the campaign today, Mrs May was back in front of the cameras on arrival at the EU summit in Brussel - refusing to rule out No Deal and insisting Brexit had to be delivered.
The petition crashed past 1,000,000 signatures shortly before 3pm today after backing from a host of celebrities
A map showing where people have signed shows concentrations of support in cities such as London, Oxford and Edinburgh
The petition states: 'The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is ''the will of the people''.
'We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU. A People's Vote may not happen - so vote now.'
The Government is obliged to offer a written response and it will be considered for a debate in Parliament - but it will not be staged before exit day on March 29.
A map showing where people have signed shows concentrations of support in cities such as London, Oxford and Edinburgh.
A raft of public figures have promoted the petition since Mrs May's controversial speech in Downing Street last night.
Hugh Grant said: 'I've signed. And it looks like every sane person in the country is signing too.
'National emergency. Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.'
Anne Lennox said the petition was 'currently gaining 100,000 signatures an hour'.
Actor Eddie Marsan urged his followers to sign, tweeting: 'In years to come, when future generations look back on Brexit and how this country was taken over by fanatical ideologues, to the left andto the right, they'll ask ''where were you? What did you do?''.'
TV physicist Brian Cox said: 'I've signed this petition to revoke A50 and deal with the consequences afterwards - referendum, election, whatever.
'I have no idea whether these things do any good but after May's astonishingly irresponsible speech this evening I'll give anything a go.'
A raft of public figures have promoted the petition since Mrs May's controversial speech in Downing Street last night
Parliament's petition site crashed repeatedly today as the number of signatures rose
Margaret Anne Georgiadou, who started the petition, told the BBC: 'I became like every other Remainer - very frustrated that we've been silenced and ignored for so long.
'So I think now it's almost like a dam bursting, because we've been held back in a sense - it's almost like last chance saloon now.'
She said the petition 'didn't do very well for a week'.
The Petitions Committee said: 'As many of you have guessed, the number of people using the site has caused problems this morning.
'It's a mix of people reloading the front page to watch the signature count go up and people trying to sign petitions.'
Theresa May's deputy official spokesman said the Government had said '12,000 times' it would not revoke Article 50, adding: 'It is not something that she is prepared to do.'
Emergency 'Cobra' committee takes over No Deal preparations amid moves to activate 'Operation Yellowhammer' on Monday - putting 3,500 troops on standby, booking ferries for NHS drugs and getting ready for huge lorry jams
The Government's emergency Cobra committee has taken over No Deal preparations today amid plans to activate 'Operation Yellowhammer' on Monday.
Yellowhammer is the civil contingencies wing of No Deal and involves putting 3,500 troops on standby, booking space on emergency ferries for NHS drugs and preparing for miles of lorry queues out of Dover.
The plans - dubbed a No Deal 'doomsday' scenario - also include Foreign Office teams preparing to help Britons who get stranded in Europe from a dedicated 'nerve centre'.
Officials have been planning for No Deal for months and activated 320 other contingency plans before Christmas with 101 days to March 29. It included a public information campaign telling citizens to prepare their own families.
The new escalation comes with just eight days until exit is due to happen and with no deal agreed amid deadlock in Parliament.
Cabinet Ministers were told on Tuesday Operation Yellowhammer would be stood up, the Daily Telegraph revealed.
Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, told them in a letter: 'Operation Yellowhammer command and control structures will be enacted fully on 25 March unless a new exit date has been agreed between the UK and the EU.'
He told departments to be ready to make 'necessary changes' to their contingency planning to account for an extension, and be ready to 're-programme' certain measures so that they could instead be activated before the new exit date.
Yellowhammer is the civil contingencies wing of No Deal and involves putting 3,500 troops on standby, booking space on emergency ferries for NHS drugs and preparing for miles of lorry queues out of Dover
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told Cabinet on Tuesday that Operation Yellowhammer would be stood up on March 25
A Department for Transport source told The Times: 'Clearly if we are facing a no-deal Brexit on Friday there are going to be issues that require a substantial response and we need to ensure that the department is working in a way that allows us to do that ahead of time.
'The unknowns are going to be the reaction of other European countries to issues like customs and driving licences. We need to be in a position to respond to issues quickly.'
A government spokesman said: 'As a responsible government we have been planning and continue to prepare for all eventualities and that includes managing the impacts of a no deal Brexit as they arise.'
European Research Group deputy chairman Mark Francois said in the Commons yesterday Operation Yellowhammer shoudl be stood up immediately.
He said: 'If that is so and there is no extension, why do we not just vote down the rancid withdrawal agreement and sprint for the line?'
Chris Heaton-Harris, a Brexit minister, told MPs: 'We do have Operation Yellowhammer, which is working to deliver the biggest peacetime project in the history of the civil service.
'Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the government's top priority, but a responsible government must plan for every eventuality including a no-deal scenario, and these preparations are taking place alongside work to deliver on the government's policy priorities.'
An official report published last month admitted 200,000 firms that trade with the EU are not ready for a no deal Brexit.
The study from the Brexit department also found citizens are ignoring no deal warnings and failing to make sure they are ready for a no deal.
It said no deal would cause delays at the border - potentially meaning shortages and prices rises for some food, particularly fresh produce not in season in Britain.
The report warns panic buying could fuel shortages in foods that are shipped across the Channel.
Foreign Office Minister Alan Duncan revealed the No Deal 'nerve centre' that is ready to help stranded UK citizens this week
Labour MP and Best for Britain supporter Rosie Duffield said: 'The only reason this money is being spent on disaster planning rather than our crumbling public services is because the Prime Minister is obsessed with keeping no deal on the table to force through her bad Brexit deal.
'Stopping the coming crisis should be the government's sole agenda, not facilitating it.
'Messes like this explain why the mood in the country has shifted over the last three years.
'No deal is not an acceptable outcome. People want a final say on Brexit, but also expect MPs to think about revoking A50 to stop this government walking us over a cliff-edge if we reach a point of national crisis next week.'
3,500 troops are on standby for no deal Brexit
Extra personnel could be needed at British ports, at the border or even to help police civil disobedience if a no deal Brexit leads to food shortages or other problems
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs last year that 3,500 troops will be 'held at readiness' to help with a no-deal Brexit.
The troops are a mix of regulars and reserves and will be held on bases to be deployed as needed as Britain leaves the EU.
Extra personnel could be needed at British ports, at the border or even to help police civil disobedience if a no deal Brexit leads to food shortages or other problems.
Downing Street insisted the use of soldiers is common - pointing to how troops helped out successfully in the running of the Olympics.
Speaking in the Commons when he made the announcement, Mr Williamson said: 'We've as yet not had any formal request from any Government department but what we are doing is putting contingency plans in place, and what we will do is have 3,500 service personnel held at readiness - including regulars and reserves - in order to support any Government department on any contingencies they may need.'
Up to 10,000 lorries could be parked in Kent if no deal causes delays at the ports
Dover has room for 1,720, Manston Airport near Margate, which has been purchased by the Department for Transport, could fit 4,000 and 4,500 could be parked on the M20 - as happened when 'Operation Stack' was triggered in 2015
More than 10,000 lorries could be parked in Kent to cater for queues of trucks heading for France in event of a no-deal Brexit.
First lorries would be parked at Dover, then on Manston Airport and finally the M20.
Dover has room for 1,720 while Manston Airport near Margate, could fit 6,500 following a series of tests. If they run out of room, more lorries could be parked on the M20 - as happened when 'Operation Stack' was triggered in 2015.
Further contingency plans that emerged in November suggested the 10-mile long M26 could also be pressed into service for overflowing lorries.
Specialist drugs first in line for emergency ferry space
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling had mooted the Government leasing entire roll-on, roll-off lorry ferries
Reserving space on ferries for critical supplies is among the contingency plans triggered by the Cabinet today.
Specialist drugs used by the NHS are first in line for space on the No Deal ferries, which were mired in controversy when Transport Secretary Chris Grayling handed one of the contracts to an untested firm with no ships. The deal was later cancelled.
The Department of Health is understood to have contacted pharmaceutical companies urging them to route their supplies using the new ferry services.
Jeremy Corbyn blames 'confusion' for storming out of Brexit talks with Theresa May because Labour defector Chuka Umunna was invited
Jeremy Corbyn today blamed 'confusion' for leaving a Brexit meeting in No 10 because Chuka Umunna was invited.
The Labour leader is in Brussels and met EU leaders today as the row over his decision to snub Mr Umunna last night continues.
He was accused of 'extraordinary' and 'juvenile' behaviour after he walked out and critics pointed out that he had been happy to meet members of the IRA and Hamas in the past.
Today he insisted he can deliver Brexit and accused Theresa May of trying to 'threaten' MPs into voting her deal through next week - but twice refused to rule out revoking Article 50 if a longer delay was needed.
But when asked if he could be trusted to lead when he can't accept being in the same room as Mr Umunna, who left Labour this year, he said: 'There was confusion over that meeting' and said later on he had 'a separate and very extensive' discussion with Mrs May.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Stammer (left) and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrive in Brussels ahead of a meeting with Michel Barnier
Jeremy Corbyn (pictured leaving Downing Street last night) walked out on a crucial Brexit briefing with party leaders because former Labour MP Chuka Umunna (right) was invited
Speaking after what he described as 'very constructive discussions' with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and European Commission secretary general Martin Selmayr in Brussels, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: 'Our determination is to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union next Friday.
'We are therefore looking for alternatives and building a majority in Parliament that can agree on a future constructive economic relationship with the European Union.
'We've been discussing how this could come about and trying to reach out here as both Keir (Starmer) and myself have been reaching out to colleagues in all parties in the UK Parliament.'
Accompanied by shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Corbyn said: 'This morning's meetings have been positive and we have done what I believe the Government ought to be doing - instead of bringing back a twice-rejected deal to the British Parliament, looking for constructive solutions.'
Mr Corbyn refused to sit down with Chuka Umunna, who, as a member of the breakaway Independent Group, had been invited along with other opposition representatives by the Prime Minister.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey tweeted today: 'No anti-Corbyn distractions on this. He's right not to meet with the people who betrayed their party. He wants to take the country forward with people who can be trusted. Keep the focus. We need a Labour deal, not a deal to put the interests of Tories beyond those of the people'.
And ruling out a second referendum he added: 'This is not difficult. We need a customs arrangement'.
Today Labour MP Barry Gardiner insisted his party leader was right to refuse to take part in talks if Mr Umunna was present because The Independent Group he has joined are not a 'political party' and said Mr Corbyn has concerns about how they are funded.
Labour MP Ian Murray tweeted an ironic attack on Mr Corbyn's walk-out from Brexit crisis talks, highlighting how Mr Corbyn is failing to champion a people's vote like Chuka Umunna is, despite it being Labour Party policy.
He said: 'As for Jeremy Corbyn. He was right to walk out of talks with the PM tonight because @ChukaUmunna was attending.
'Chuka would have championed what is Labour Party policy in a public vote.
'How dare Chuka champion the policy of Labour members. That's the leadership's job. Disgraceful.'
He added minutes later: 'Thanks for all the messages and emails. This was irony. I should know better than to think Twitter does irony.'
His refusal came despite the fact he has been happy to sit alongside members of terror group Hamas in the past - going so far as to call them his 'friends'.
Mr Corbyn also invited members of the IRA to the House of Commons just days after the Brighton Bomb.
But yesterday he refused to sit alongside Mr Umunna - complaining he 'wasn't a proper party leader'.
Critics last night lambasted his 'juvenile' behaviour at a time when Britain's future hangs in the balance.
Leading the criticism, Countdown presenter Rachel Riley (pictured) mocked Mr Corbyn for his actions
She wrote on Twitter: 'Corbyn on Hamas (the terrorists): I wanted Hamas to be part of the debate. Corbyn on Chuka Umunna (the anti-racism ex-Labour MP): Tell him I'm not talking to him'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: 'Jeremy Corbyn's kinder, gentler politics was found wanting as he stomped out of the meeting before it began rather than breathe the same air as Chuka Umunna.
'This is a rather strange way to behave at a moment of national crisis.'
Mr Umunna said the country was in 'a crisis situation' and the people of the UK expect conflicting political groups to 'come together' to find a way forward.
'That's why the Prime Minister convened the meeting and I welcome the fact she did so,' he said.
'I think it's really extraordinary behaviour for the Leader of the Opposition to behave in really this kind of very juvenile way when the moment demands that we all step up and engage in some serious dialogue to find our way through this chaos and this mess.'
And others pointed out his shady history in meeting extremists such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
John Woodcock, the former Labour MP who now sits as an independent, said: 'This man makes a grotesque virtue of fraternising with the violent extremists that many people conclude he sympathises with.
'But at the moment that our country desperately needs MPs to reach an agreement on Brexit, he draws a line at Chuka Umunna.'
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron tweeted: 'Jezza has been quite happy to meet with some rather 'edgy' folk in the past... but draws the line at that menace to civilisation, Chuka Umunna.'
In 1984, just two weeks after the Brighton bombing which killed five people and injured 31, Mr Corbyn caused an uproar by inviting representatives of the IRA to the House of Commons.
In 2009, Mr Corbyn was filmed at a Palestinian Solidarity Campaign event saying: 'It will be my pleasure and honour to host an event in Parliament where our friends from Hezbollah will be speaking.
'I've also invited our friends from Hamas to come and speak as well.'
And in 2014, Mr Corbyn visited the graves of terror leaders linked to the Munich massacre.
The Mail published a photograph of him holding a wreath just feet away from the graves of terror leaders linked to the 1972 killings.
Following the meeting, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: 'That is rather a strange way to behave in a national crisis'
Mr Umunna described Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to engage in talks as 'extraordinary' and 'very juvenile'
SNP MP Stewart McDonald told Mr Corbyn to 'get a grip' after his refusal to engage in talks with the Independent Group
Anna Soubry, a former Tory MP who is now with the Independent Group, also attended the meeting
Last night Countdown host Rachel Riley - who has been a victim of anti-Semitic abuse from hard-left activists - criticised the Labour leader.
She wrote: 'Corbyn on Hamas (the terrorists): 'I wanted Hamas to be part of the debate'. Corbyn on Chuka Umunna (the anti-racism ex-Labour MP): 'Tell him I'm not talking to him'.'
Euan Philipps, spokesman for Labour Against Anti-Semitism, said: 'What's apparent from tonight's display is that, despite his claims, Jeremy Corbyn only ever speaks with people he agrees with.
'While he seems prepared to talk with Hamas and Hezbollah, he won't sit round a table with a BAME south London MP even when to do so is in the national interest and at a time of crisis.
'This is a man who appears too blinded by his own prejudices to do what is right for the country.'
Mrs May invited leaders of the other parties to a meeting in the Commons yesterday to discuss the way ahead on Brexit.
Tory MP Simon Hoare said: 'Jeremy Corbyn has always said in defence of his meetings with the IRA that you've got to sit down and talk to make progress.
'He was given the opportunity today and he's flunked it. It's another indication that at times when statesmanship is required, he falls well wide of the mark.'
Chris Leslie, an Independent Group MP, said: 'Astonishing. Yet again Jeremy Corbyn puts petty party politics before the national interest.'
SNP MP Stewart McDonald told Mr Corbyn to 'get a grip' after his refusal to engage in talks with the Independent Group present.
He tweeted: 'I mean honestly, nine days until the country he wants to be Prime Minister of leaves the EU and Jeremy Corbyn has gone full 'you can't sit with us'.
'This isn't Mean Girls. Get a grip of your life, man!'
Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson tweeted: 'Jeremy Corbyn this evening channelling a teenager who doesn't get his way. A sad, depressing way to conduct politics.'
A spokeswoman for the Labour Party said: 'It was not the meeting that had been agreed and the terms were broken.
'Downing Street is in such chaos that they were unable to manage their own proposed meeting.
'We are in discussions with Number 10 about holding the bilateral meeting with the PM that Jeremy proposed at Prime Minister's Question Time.'
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/21/brexit-eu-leaders-prepare-to-decide-britains-fate/
Main photo article EU leaders are deciding Britain’s Brexit fate tonight after Theresa May made a 104-minute pitch for more time to deliver the Brexit deal.
In ominous news for Remainers hoping they can cancel Britain’s departure at the 11th hour, French President Emmanuel Macron warned there would be...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/21/17/11284406-6833739-image-a-51_1553188076239.jpg
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