Brexit extension: what’s on offer from EU leaders?

EU leaders have agreed a Brexit extension to 31 January, with an option for Britain to leave earlier if a deal can be ratified, according to a tweet from the European Council president.

Donald Tusk wrote that the bloc would permit a “flextension” - which as Sky News points out, means that if Boris Johnson manages to get his divorce deal through Parliament in less than three months, Brexit will happen sooner.

Earlier, The Guardian revealed that a draft paper of the agreement stated the UK would be able to leave on the first day of the month after a deal is ratified. The document also stated that the EU will not renegotiate the withdrawal agreement.

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In a possible stumbling block for the prime minister, the draft paper also says the UK has “an obligation” to nominate a candidate to join the European Commission. Johnson has previously insisted that “under no circumstances” will he nominate anyone to take over from Julian King when the new commission takes office on 1 November.

EU leaders had been expected to announce their decision on Friday, but the French ambassador blocked the extension. France’s European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin told French television on Sunday: “We cannot give extra time based on political fiction. We need to have certainty in order to decide [on an extension], certainty about ratification, about elections or about a second referendum.”

Johnson has told MPs he will give them more time to scrutinise and debate the Brexit deal that he agreed with the EU on 21 October, if they grant him an election after Brexit and before Christmas. MPs will vote later on whether to support Johnson’s call for a general election on 12 December.

Opposition parties had been withholding their support until a Brexit delay was granted because of their fears over a no-deal withdrawal.

But the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party are now pushing a plan to hold an election on 9 December.

“The few days’ difference means Mr Johnson would not be able to try and get his Brexit deal through parliament before voters head to the polls,” explains Sky News.