Brexit: Johnson confirms October 31 deadline
(VOVWORLD) -British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he still pursues the deadline for Britain to leave the European Union on October 31, despite MPs’ postponement of their decision on the new Brexit deal Mr. Johnson reached with EU leaders on Thursday.
 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at a Parliament meeting in London on October 19, 2019. (Photo: AFP / VNA) |
Prime Minister Johnson said the "meaningful vote" on the Brexit deal "has become meaningless", but he affirmed that he will not negotiate with the EU on deferring the Brexit deadline, although the law requires him to do so.
The House of Commons sat for a historic Saturday session where lawmakers were due to have a “meaningful vote” on Johnson’s new deal with Brussels. However, it was effectively hijacked by a cross-party group of MPs who tabled an amendment that was then passed by 322 votes to 306. The amendment, introduced by former Conservative lawmaker Oliver Letwin, withholds approval of Johnson’s withdrawal agreement with the European Union until legislation is in place, and caused the government to pull its “meaningful vote.”
On Twitter, European Commission Chief Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said Brussels "noted" the vote in the House of Commons on the terms under which the Brexit deal was not allowed to vote on Saturday. She called on the British Government to inform the EU of further measures "as soon as possible".