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UK proposes Brexit extension to end on June 30: PM Theresa May to EU

UK proposes Brexit extension to end on June 30: PM Theresa May to EU

Brexit

Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the European Union to delay Britain's departure from the bloc until June 30, with the extension ending earlier if parliament approves her Brexit deal.

"The United Kingdom proposes that (the extension) should end on June 30th, 2019. If the parties are able to ratify before this date, the government proposes that the period should be terminated earlier," May wrote in a letter to EU Council president Donald Tusk.

Earlier an EU official had said Donald Tusk will suggest to member states Friday that they offer Britain a flexible 12-month Brexit delay to allow it time to prepare an orderly withdrawal.

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"This is Tusk's idea," a senior EU official told AFP, confirming news reports. "It will be presented to member states today."

As things stand, Britain is due to leave the European Union at midnight on April 12 next week. Under the suggested extension, Britain would be able to delay this.

If the House of Commons ratifies the withdrawal agreement that Prime Minister Theresa May has already signed with the EU members, London could leave before the year is up.

But if Britain is still a member when the bloc holds elections to the European Parliament on May 23, it will need to take part in the poll and send another batch of MEPs to Strasbourg.