EU leaders offered the UK a plan which would delay Brexit from March 29 to May 22, on condition that MPs approve Theresa May’s withdrawal deal.
If the deal is rejected by the Commons, the UK would be given until April 12 to come to the European Council with its proposals for the way forward.
“If the withdrawal agreement is not approved by the House of Commons next week, the European council agrees to an extension until 12 April, and expects UK to indicate a way forward for the consideration of the European council,” a summit communique said.
If the UK agreed to take part in European Parliament elections in May, the possibility would be open for a further extension of several months.
It is understood that the details of the proposal will be announced in Brussels by European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
European Council president Donald Tusk tweeted: “EU27 unanimously agrees on its response to UK’s requests. I will now meet PM @theresa-may,” later adding: “EU27 responds to UK requests in a positive spirit and agrees to Art. 50 extension until 22 May if Withdrawal Agreement approved next week if not agreed next week then extension until 12 April approves ‘Strasbourg Agreement’ continues no-deal preparations.”
Last night Mrs May addressed the nation saying that the delay to Brexit is a ‘matter of great personal regret’.
The Prime Minister added that ‘it is now time for MPs to decide’ – We can no longer delay the UK leaving the European Union beyond the end of June.
She blamed MPs for failing to agree a means to implement the result of the 2016 referendum and said she believes voters just want this stage of the Brexit process to be over.
And she told voters: “I am on your side.”
 that if Parliament approve Theresa May's deal, in its third 'meaningful vote', the UK would be granted a way forward.){kind=link}