EU President Donald Tusk recommends Brexit Extension to European Leaders

EU Council President Tusk has tonight confirmed that he will ask the 27 nations of European Union to accept Boris Johnson’s forced request for a three month delay.

Mr Johnson has suggested that a January extension following MPs rejecting the timetable to approve his Withdrawal Bill would see him abandon his deal and call a general election.

Just minutes after MPs rejected the Programme Motion Mr Tusk tweeted: “Following PM Boris Johnson’s decision to pause the process of ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement, and in order to avoid a no-deal Brexit, I will recommend the EU27 accept the UK request for an extension. 

Mr Johnson reluctantly requested an extension on Saturday, after MPs forced his hand. 

In a written letter to the EU, Mr Johnson requested the extension to the end of January 2020 – which Mr Tusk has recommended the EU 27 accept.