Brexit: May to ask EU for short Article 50 extension

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – With the U.K.’s first extended deadline just 10 days away, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that the U.K. needs an additional short extension from the EU.

In a statement after a seven-hour Cabinet meeting, May said that she understands some people are “fed up” and ready to leave on April 12 without a deal.

She added, however, that she supports leaving with a deal, saying “we will need a short extension” to Article 50, the part of the EU treaty under which Britain is leaving.

May underlined that “this debate, this division” could not be allowed to drag on and the lawmakers’ approach has not worked.

She said she wanted the extension to be "as short as possible." Any extension beyond May 22 will require the U.K. to take part in European Parliament elections.

The prime minister also proposed that she and the leader of the opposition, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, work together towards a plan.