The EU’s top Brexit negotiator has torn into Theresa May’s attempt to keep her delay options open by suggesting she must present leaders this week with a clear idea how the UK wants to stay in.
Michel Barnier told reporters today that any longer extension to Article 50 would only be considered if there was ‘a new political process’ in the UK to justify it.
It came as reports suggested that Mrs May would ask EU leaders for a two-year delay, with an option to exit the EU by June if a deal was passed by Parliament.
This would allow her to woo Brexiteers into supporting a deal to get out in three months.
But at a Brussels press conference Mr Barnier warned that a long delay would increase ‘uncertainty’, saying: ‘It’s one or the other, isn’t it?’
Michel Barnier stressed that EU national leaders would set the length of any Brexit delay but added: 'How could we be sure that at the end of a possible extension we are not back in the same situation as today?'
Mrs May (pictured today) reportedly wants the option of a two-year delay, with an option to exit by June if a deal was passed by Parliament, allowing her to woo Brexiteers into supporting a deal to get out in three months
After meeting Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney (left) he warned that a long delay would increase ‘uncertainty’ and the UK could not ask for both that and a short extension, saying: ‘It’s one or the other, isn’t it?’
Stressing that it was ultimately a decision for EU27 leaders at the European Council meeting on Thursday, he said: "The EU authorities want to know what the underlying political process which would be the grounds for that extension would be - political process within the House of Commons or in the general political debate in the UK."
Mr Barnier added: "It is our duty to ask whether this extension would be useful because an extension will be something which would extend uncertainty, and uncertainty costs."
He added: ‘What would be the purpose and outcome? How could we be sure that at the end of a possible extension we are not back in the same situation as today?’
His comments came after France suggested that a Brexit delay sought by Theresa May cannot be taken for granted as EU leaders applied more pressure on the PM just .
An aide to president Emmanuel Macron made the warning as Irish premier Leo Varadkar and European Council president Donald Tusk put on a show of unity in Dublin.
They were the latest European leaders to warn that it is up to the UK to find a way out of the current Brexit mess and that the EU doesn't have unlimited patience.
It followed Monday's shock move by Speaker John Bercow to block a third meaningful vote without changes to what is on offer to MPs.
'An extension is not for certain or automatic,' the French aide said, echoing demands by several EU officials that British Prime Minister Theresa May lay out clear reasons why a delay would be necessary.
Taoiseach Mr Varadkar welcomed Mr Tusk to Ireland on Tuesday morning but when asked if Monday's Westminster news posed a problem, Mr Tusk did not reply but shrugged.
A joint statement issued later revealed that Mr Tusk 'expressed the strong and ongoing solidarity with Ireland of the European Council and European leaders'.
It added: 'They agreed that we must now see what proposals emerge from London in advance of the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
'Meanwhile, preparations continue in Ireland and across the European Union for a no-deal scenario, which would have serious consequences for all concerned.'
Mr Varadkar had to remind himself what day it was when Mr Tusk went to sign and date the visitor's book at the Government Buildings in Dublin today
Affter their meeting the leaders issued a statement expressing the EU's 'strong and ongoing solidarity with Ireland' and demanding Britain present proposals before Thursday's European Council meeting
Senior French and German ministers had earlier torn into UK politicians over the Brexit chaos engulfing Westminster, demanding MPs finally make up their mind or risk a chaotic no-deal Brexit.
As EU foreign ministers met in Brussels there was a clear message that it was up to Britain to come up with a solution that would allow Brussels to delay Brexit.
German Europe minister Michael Roth told reporters in Brussels: 'Our patience as the European Union is being sorely tested at the moment.
'I can only call once again on our British partners in London to make concrete proposals at last on why they want an extension.'
Michael Roth said that London politicians had to make 'concrete proposals at last on why they want an extension' today, adding: 'Dear friends in London, please deliver. The clock is ticking'
French EU affairs minister Nathalie Loiseau spoke to reporters in Brussels today, the morning after John Bercow's dramatic intervention in Brexit seemed to block chances of a third meaningful vote any time soon
Germany's core aim was to avoid a disorderly Brexit, but it could only agree to a postponement of the scheduled leave date of March 29 if London gave a clear reason to do so, he said.
A postponement beyond June would mean Britain would have to participate in European Parliament elections, he added.
'Dear friends in London, please deliver. The clock is ticking,' Roth said.
His French counterpart Nathalie Loiseau ramped up the pressure on Theresa May by suggesting a no-deal Brexit could well happen unless her Government solves the current 'deadlock'.
Ms Loiseau, who revealed at the weekend she mockingly named her cat 'Brexit' because of its indecisiveness, said delaying the UK's departure was 'not a solution, it's a method' and had to lead somewhere.
She said that the current uncertainty was 'unacceptable', adding: 'We need an initiative, we need something new because if it's an extension to remain in the same deadlock ... how do we get out of this deadlock?'
And she blasted UK politicians, accusing them of constantly opposing things without coming up with workable alternatives.
'They have said 'no' to a no-deal and they have said 'no' to a realistic deal. Now they have to change their mind on one or the other,' she said.
'Grant an extension - what for? Time is not a solution, it's a method. If there is an objective and a strategy and it has to come from London.'
They are the latest EU politicians to question whether an extension to Article 50 should be granted while there is total paralysis in Westminster.
Yesterday the European Parliament's Brexit co-orrdinator Guy Verhofstadt suggested it was time for 'cross-party talks' to end the deadlock.
The former prime minister of Belgium said on Twitter: 'Why should the EU27 even consider a #Brexit extension this week, if the UK Parliament vote on the deal is cancelled?
'Where are the cross-party talks? I will keep saying this; it is time for country to come before party!'
Brexit hardliners backed John Bercow's (pictured today outside Parliament) ruling Theresa May cannot bring her deal back unchanged for a third time as the Prime Minister's plans lay in tatters today
Theresa May was preparing to take on Mr Bercow today after he detonated a bombshell under her plans for the Brexit endgame.
Her Brexit Secretary hinted the Government could bring back its deal within days anyway and dare Mr Bercow to rule it out of order if and when the PM has secured a delay to Brexit. The Cabinet will discuss the crisis in No 10 this morning.
Downing Street has reacted with fury to Mr Bercow's insistence it cannot put an unchanged deal to a third vote and Mr Barclay accused Mr Bercow of 'raising the bar' for a deal with the EU today.
The Speaker refused to comment on his decision when greeted by reporters outside Parliament this morning.
But Brexit hardliners have backed the explosive ruling that has left Prime Minister's plans lying in tatters today.
Mrs May will fly to Brussels on Thursday for a tense EU summit at which she will admit Brexit must be delayed. She had hoped to go having secured support for her battered deal at the third attempt and ask only for a short technical extension of around three months
Members of the European Research Group led by Jacob Rees-Mogg seized on the Commons Speaker's intervention as they fight to secure No Deal Brexit on March 29 next week.
MPs on the group were heard whistling the 'Great Escape' theme tune in the Commons tea room last night in the belief Mr Bercow's bombshell makes their hopes of No Deal more likely.
They also hope a long delay - instead of a short extension to implement this deal - would allow them to dictate the terms of Brexit.
Former Cabinet minister David Jones said the ruling was 'absolutely accurate' and insisted it was a 'well known' rule - adding Mr Bercow was doing the 'right thing'.
Mrs May will fly to Brussels on Thursday for a tense EU summit at which she will admit Brexit must be delayed.
She had hoped to go having secured support for her battered deal at the third attempt and ask only for a short technical extension of around three months.
Instead she will beg for a much longer delay despite little clarity over what Britain might do with months or years more time.
As Mrs May's prepares her mission, the Foreign Office revealed its No Deal 'war room' today with just 11 days until Britain was supposed to leave the EU.
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/19/eu-negotiator-says-may-must-choose-between-a-short-or-long-delay-to-brexit-instead-of-fudging-it/
Main photo article The EU’s top Brexit negotiator has torn into Theresa May’s attempt to keep her delay options open by suggesting she must present leaders this week with a clear idea how the UK wants to stay in.
Michel Barnier told reporters today that any longer extension to Article 50 would only be considered if...
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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/2019/03/19/16/11189240-6825661-image-a-26_1553012875985.jpg
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