UK requests Brexit extension until June 30

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – A week shy of its delayed April 12 departure, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday requested that the EU give it a further extension of the Brexit date, until June 30.

May’s letter came amid reports that European Council President Donald Tusk will offer Britain a “flexible” extension until the end of 2019 with an option to leave earlier if the withdrawal agreement is ratified.

May said in a letter to Tusk that the UK “government’s policy has always been and remains to leave the EU in an orderly way and without undue delay.”

Underlining that the House of Commons has so far failed to approve the withdrawal deal reached with the EU, May said “this impasse can not be allowed to continue,” adding that she has been holding talks with the opposition leader on a Brexit strategy.

May said in her letter that the U.K. will push for ratification to make possible May 23 as the departure date, but if this is not possible, it will make necessary preparations to take part in the upcoming European Parliament elections, set for that day.

The U.K. is due to leave the bloc on April 12 -- pushed back last month from March 29 -- but the House of Commons has yet to agree on the withdrawal agreement reached with the EU.