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Defiant Boris Johnson refuses to sign EU letter begging for Brexit delay after rebel MPs sank deal vote
BORIS Johnson last night refused to sign a letter begging the EU for a Brexit delay after rebel MPs sabotaged his new deal.
The Prime Minister sent three letters to European Council President Donald Tusk after his Super Saturday plans were ruined by Sir Oliver Letwin's plot.
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He did not put his signature at the bottom of the first letter - a photocopy of the call by MPs to delay withdrawal from the bloc.
After the crushing loss he rang European leaders - including Mr Tusk - declaring that the first letter "is Parliament's letter, not my letter".
A second note, written by the UK's Permanent Representative in Brussels, Sir Tim Barrow, made it clear it was not from the PM.
Mr Johnson also sent Mr Tusk a personal letter stating he personally is not asking for an extension - and signed it at the bottom.
In it, the PM said a Brexit extension would be "deeply corrosive" and his stance is likely to spark a fierce political row.
THREE LETTERS TO TUSK
He said he was "deeply grateful" to him for his help which enabled him to "achieve a historic milestone" by putting a new deal on the table.
Mr Johnson wrote: "Regrettably, Parliament missed the opportunity to inject momentum into the ratification process for the new Withdrawal Agreement.
"Although I would have preferred a different result today, the Government will press ahead with ratification and introduce the necessary legislation early next week.
"I remain confident that we will complete that process by 31 October.
"We must bring this process to a conclusion so that we can move to the next phase and build our new relationship on the foundations of our long history as neighbours and friends in this continent our peoples share.
"I am passionately committed to that endeavour."
Mr Tusk confirmed he received the extension request from Mr Johnson.
He said on Twitter yesterday: "The extension request has just arrived. I will now start consulting EU leaders on how to react."
It came just hours after the Prime Minister sent another letter to MPs telling them Brussels is likely to refuse the Brexit delay request.
He said: "The best thing for the United Kingdom and the European Union is to leave with this new deal on 31 October."
'POINTLESS SATURDAY'
In the letter, Boris Johnson also made it clear that if Brussels don't give the government more time, it could have serious consequences after Tory rebel Letwin blocked his new deal.
He added that he hoped faced with his new deal or no deal, MPs would this time choose the latter as he intends to leave the EU in 12 days.
In a day of high-drama in the House of Commons, MPs voted for the Tory rebel’s wrecking amendment by 322 to 306, and torpedoed Boris' plans to pass a deal.
The so-called Super Saturday turned into Pointless Saturday after the Tory rebel sabotage.
Instead the PM was going to be forced to ask the EU for a THIRD time to delay Britain's departure from the EU.
Under the Benn Act law, Boris was forced to write a letter to ask the EU for an extension until January 31 - but he refused to sign it.
Immediately after the blocking, Boris insisted he would not enter "negotiations" with Brussels over a delay.
He insisted that it was still the "best thing for the UK" to leave with his new deal on October 31.
He said: "I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so.
"No delays, and I will continue to do all I can to get Brexit done on October 31."
'GREAT REGRET'
In his first letter last night, the PM outlined how Brussels could reject the delay as they are also aiming for Britain to leave the EU on Halloween.
Mr Johnson pointed out that as the EU leaders "have made it clear they do not want more delay" they could well reject the idea altogether.
He added it was his "great regret that the House has voted for more delay."
The disappointed PM had hoped MPs would finally back a Brexit deal, three YEARS after the public voted to leave but instead they opted for yet more dithering.
It comes as:
- Boris vowed to press on with Brexit and introduce his Withdrawal Bill to the Commons next week
- Hundreds of thousands of anti-Brexit protesters marched on Parliament today to call for another referendum
- MPs had to be escorted by gangs of police to get them out of the Commons safely
- Nigel Farage slammed the "appalling deal" in a newspaper advert
- MPs called for extra cash to help pay for childcare after they were dragged into Parliament for a Saturday sitting
The Government decided to cancel the main Brexit vote after the plot won the day yesterday - prompting disgusted Tory MPs to walk out of the chamber in dramatic scenes.
Ten former Tories teamed up with Labour, the Lib Dems, SNP, DUP and a spread of independents to force the plot through.
But in a boost for Boris, no current Tories rebelled.
'I'M FED UP'
A No10 source said immediately after yesterday's vote: "Parliament has voted to delay Brexit yet again.
"The PM will not ask for an extension - he will tell EU leaders there should be no delays, they should reject Parliament's letter asking for a delay, and we should get Brexit done on 31 October”.
A European Commission spokesman said it "took note" of the outcome and was waiting for the UK to set out the "next steps".
But MPs were furious at the prospect of yet another delay to our EU exit.
Tory MP Peter Bone raged: “I’m fed up. It’s spoilt my birthday - I should be eating cake.”
And Andrew Lewer tweeted: "I am deeply disappointed at the vote today. The overwhelming feeling in the country is to I voted against this delaying amendment and I want to vote for the deal."
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynsk added: "Am quietly but deeply troubled by the conduct of some MPs in their determination to prevent #Brexit. We will deliver withdrawal by October 31st despite their manoeuvres."
Jacob Rees Mogg confirmed plans for Parliament to start debating the Brexit bill on Monday in the hope of pushing the law through before October 31 - even if Boris sends the letter tonight.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: "Parliament has decided for indecision so next week we'll face a new vote for the new deal.
"I've never felt more strongly: Let's get this done."
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Labour rebels go against the party
By RYAN SABEY
SIX Labour MPs rebelled against their party yesterday to back the PM.
They defied Jeremy Corbyn on an extension designed to avert a No Deal exit on October 31.
The six who tried to aid Boris Johnson were Kevin Barron, Ronnie Campbell, Jim Fitzpatrick, Caroline Flint, Kate Hoey and John Mann.
Ms Flint said the vote “was a panic measure” and added: “The public want an orderly Brexit and this doesn’t help.”
A host of ex-Tory MPs who lost the whip last month also sought to rescue Mr Johnson.
The Conservative Party said last night: “The Prime Minister will tell EU leaders there should be no more delays.”
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Who voted to push the Letwin plan through?
- All 10 DUP MPs backed the plot. Without them, it would have fallen
- 10 independent MPs (former Tories) backed Letwin -including Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, David Gauke, Guto Bebb, Justine Greening, Nick Boles, Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, and Antoinette Sandbach
- Two Tory MPs and one independent Tory did not vote/abstained - Caroline Spelman, Edward Leigh and Anne Milton
- But no current Tories voted FOR it
- 10 Labour MPs also defied Jeremy Corbyn to vote for the Letwin amendment or abstain on it
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