European Union Accepts Britain’s Request For Brexit Extension, Deadline Extended To 31 January Next Year

The European Union (EU) has agreed to extend Brexit until 31 January 2020, European Council President Donald Tusk announced on Monday (28 October).

"The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure," Tusk said in a tweet.

"Flextension" means flexible extension. If MPs approve the Brexit deal sooner, the UK could leave the EU before 31 January 2020.

The draft text of an agreement for the 27 EU ambassadors - seen by the BBC - includes two other possible dates for Brexit: 30 November and 31 December.

It also includes a commitment that the Withdrawal Agreement on the UK's exit from the EU cannot be renegotiated in future.

The UK was due to leave the EU on Thursday (31 October), but Prime Minister Boris Johnson was required to request an extension from the bloc after Parliament, in a historic session on 19 October, voted against his Brexit deal.

Meanwhile, the UK Parliament will also vote today on Johnson government’s call for an early general election on 12 December this year.

(With inputs from IANS)