U.K.’s Johnson Asks EU for Brexit Delay He Doesn’t Want
The prime minister follows up an unsigned letter seeking the delay with a signed letter indicating he does not favor another extension.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. ((Chatham House / Flickr)
LONDON—British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pressing ahead to try to win parliamentary backing for his new Brexit deal as the European Union considers his grudging request to extend the looming Oct. 31 Brexit deadline.
Johnson late Saturday sent an unsigned letter to the EU seeking a delay to Britain’s impending departure from the bloc, as required by law. But he followed it with a signed letter indicating that he does not favor another extension.
EU officials have not responded to the request.
Johnson could face legal challenges from opponents who feel that sending the second letter was done to frustrate Parliament, which has not approved his Brexit plan but does want to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
Johnson returns to Parliament on Monday to keep seeking support for his Brexit proposal, which was approved Thursday by EU leaders.
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