Theresa May describes delay to Brexit as a 'matter of great personal regret'

Prime Minister Theresa May has described the delay to Brexit as a "matter of great personal regret", adding: "It is now time for MPs to decide."

Speaking from Downing Street she said: "I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30."

She added: "I passionately hope MPs will find a way to back the deal I've negotiated with the EU.

"A deal that delivers on the referendum."

Her statement comes after European Council President Donald Tusk said a "short extension" to Article 50 would be possible but only on the condition MPs backed Mrs May's Withdrawal Agreement.

The prime minister wrote to him on Wednesday requesting a Brexit delay to June 30.

In her televised statement, Mrs May addressed voters directly and blamed MPs for the lack of progression around Brexit.

She said: "You the public have had enough.

"You are tired of the infighting, you're tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows, tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit when you have real concerns about our children's schools, our National Health Service, knife crime.

"You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with.

"I agree. I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide."

  • ITV News Political Editor explains Westminster's reaction to Prime Minister Theresa May's statement

Mrs May's remarks drew criticism from Tory MP Dominic Grieve who said she is like a "battering ram".

He told ITV News: "I think her assessment over the way the Commons has behaved over this matter is also completely wrong.

"Ultimately the difficulties we've had in the Commons process are least in part the result of the Government's own actions.

"They've tried to close down debate consistently and when it's become obvious that there's no majority for the prime minister's deal, she just continued, she's like a battering ram."

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn described Mrs May's actions as "reckless" following her statement.

He said: “The Prime Minister has shown tonight she is in complete denial about the scale of the crisis we are facing and unable to offer the leadership the country needs.

“To continue to bring back her damaging and twice rejected deal without significant changes, while threatening a no deal outcome ruled out by MPs, is unacceptable and reckless.

“I made clear to the Prime Minister tonight that we must move immediately to agree a compromise alternative that supports jobs and living standards, can win the support of parliament, be negotiated with the EU and bring the country together.”

Jeremy Corbyn said said the prime minister's statement proved she was in 'complete denial'. Credit: PA

A string of Tory MPs also hit out at the prime minister following her statement.

Andrea Jenkyns said "very little" and encouraged her to ensure that Brexit happens on March 29 regardless of Parliament.

"As usual another statement saying very little," she tweeted.

"PM says she regrets having to delay. Then don't do it!

Tom Pursglove, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire tweeted: "Not leaving the EU next Friday is a political choice - and one entirely within the Prime Minister’s gift."

In Brussels, Mr Tusk outlined the conditions that would need to be met in order for Mrs May to get an extension.

He said: "In the light of the consultations that I have conducted over the past days, I believe that a short extension would be possible," he said.

"But it would be conditional on a positive vote on the Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons.

"The question remains open as to the duration of such an extension."

During Prime Minister's Questions Mrs May told MPs she intended to table her Withdrawal Agreement for a third time in the Commons, in the hope of overturning massive defeats inflicted on it in January and March.

Aides declined to name a date for the third "meaningful vote" - known inWestminster as MV3 - but said it would happen "as soon as possible".

Earlier, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker warned the the prime minister that Brexit would have to be complete before May 23 or the UK would have to take part in elections to the European Parliament.

  • ITV News Europe Editor James Mates explains what Europe leaders made of Prime Minister Theresa May's statement

Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn was criticised after pulling out of talks with other opposition party leaders and the prime minister after members of the breakaway Independent Group turned up to the meeting.Chuka Umunna, the Independent Group spokesman, told ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand how the Labour leader's behaviour was "extraordinary" and "certainly not leadership".

A Labour spokesman said it was "not the meeting that had been agreed" and that they were in discussions with No 10 about a separate bilateral meeting between Mr Corbyn and Mrs May.