The EU has handed Theresa may two weeks’ grace to devise an alternative Brexit plan if her deal falls next week after the prime minister failed to convince the bloc that she was capable of avoiding a no-deal Brexit. After a marathon late-night session of talks, the EU’s leaders ripped up May’s proposals and a new Brexit timeline was pushed on the prime minister to avoid the cliff-edge deadline of 29 March – next Friday. Under the deal agreed by May, Britain will now stay a member state until 12 April if the withdrawal agreement is rejected by mps at the third time of asking. In the unlikely event that may does win the support of the commons when the Brexit deal goes to mps again on Tuesday, the UK will stay a member state until 22 may to allow necessary withdrawal legislation to be passed.
