In September, opposition MPs and Conservative rebels passed legislation requiring Johnson to request a Brexit extension, but the Premier, while promising to abide by the legislation, said Britain would leave the EU “do or die” 31st October, and he wouldn't seek an extension even if forced to by law.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will send a letter to the European Union asking for a Brexit delay if no departure deal has been agreed by 19th October, according to government papers submitted to a Scottish court. In submissions to a Scottish court, where ‘Remain' campaigners are seeking to gain an order to force him to comply with the law, the government said Johnson accepted he was obliged to send a letter to the EU asking for a delay.
Jolyon Maugham, one of the three lawyers leading the case, has said Johnson is “playing a very odd game”.
“He told the House of Commons yesterday we will leave come what may on 31st October, and I don't understand how that statement can be reconciled with the promises he's made in court today. There is no way to square that circle. And he is going to have to come clean either in parliament or the court,” he suggested.
Irish Premier Leo Varadkar has nonetheless indicated if Johnson submitted a request for an extension, he'd agree.
“Brexit doesn't end with the UK leaving, it's just the next phase of negotiations but if the UK were to request an extension, we would consider it, but…
