UK minister resigns over Brexit delay vote

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - Britain’s agriculture minister has resigned Thursday over a decision to give lawmakers a vote on delaying Brexit beyond March 29 if Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal is rejected.

Underlining that he prefers to be "free to participate in the critical debate that will take place in the weeks ahead," George Eustice said he fears events in U.K. parliament this week "will lead to a series of events culminating in the EU dictating the terms of any extension requested and the final humiliation of our country".

He said he would vote for May’s deal and the U.K. should not fear from a no-deal Brexit.

Eustice said that MPs should “have the courage, if necessary, to reclaim our freedom first and talk afterwards”.

He said that he would “do what I can from the backbenches to try to salvage this sorry situation and I hope that, when the moment comes, parliament will not let our country down.”

Eustice added: “If the position of Parliament is now that we will refuse to leave without an agreement then we are somewhat stuck.”

"This is uncomfortable for everyone, but we cannot negotiate a successful Brexit unless we are prepared to walk through the door.

"We must therefore have the courage, if necessary, to reclaim our freedom first and talk afterwards,” he added.

The MPs will have their say on a no-deal Brexit and a “limited” delay to the article 50 if a deal to be presented is rejected again, Prime Minister Theresa May announced Tuesday.

Making a statement on Brexit to lawmakers, May also promised them a “meaningful vote” on her Brexit deal by March 12.

The U.K. would "only leave without a deal on 29 March if there is explicit consent in the House for that outcome", May said.

The British premier underlined that she did not want to see article 50 extended and said "it would not make getting a deal any easier".

May said the MPs would be offered two votes if the deal is rejected again and they will be able to vote on a no-deal Brexit and a limited extension to article 50 to negotiate the U.K.’s exit with the EU beyond the Brexit date.

The U.K. is set to leave the EU if May’s deal is approved by a majority in the parliament in a vote to be held by March 12; however, in case of a second parliamentary rejection, the parliament will decide if the exit date will be postponed.