Breaking News – Brexit: European Council President Donald Tusk Will Recommend EU Accept the UK’s Request For Brexit Extension

FOLLOWING this evenings earlier vote where the Commons voted by 322 to 308 to reject the government’s programme motion for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, European Council president Donald Tusk says he will recommend that the EU accept the UK’s request for a Brexit extension in order to avoid a ‘no-deal’ Brexit

The vote to reject the MPs timetable for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill has threatened Boris Johnson’s promise to take the UK out of the EU on 31 October “do or die”.

Mr Johnson was however encouraged by the fact his Brexit deal passed its first Commons hurdle earlier on in the evening, when MPs backed its second reading.

It is the first time MPs have voted in favour of a Brexit deal since the Leave vote in June 2016.

The final vote however has prompted Mr Johnson to now consult with EU member states about their response to his reluctant request for a three-month Brexit delay – until 31 January 2020 – which he was forced into making by MPs at the weekend.

“I must express my disappointment that the House has again voted for delay, rather than a timetable that would have guaranteed that the UK would be in a position to leave the EU on 31 October with a deal,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister was defeated after DUP, who strongly oppose the Brexit deal, voted against the programme motion.

Nine former Tory MPs, including ex-chancellor Philip Hammond, also voted against the government.

Meanwhile, five Labour MPs defied their party’s orders and voted in favour of the bill’s timetable.

Following the government’s defeat, the pound fell against the dollar and the euro.