Brexit Extension: May returns to London after talks in Berlin and Paris

World
Europe

02:48

The European Union will grant UK Prime Minister Theresa May a second delay to Brexit. But whether it will be the end of June like May has demanded, or a much longer delay as the EU has insisted is still not yet clear. Our correspondent Richard Bestic reports from London.

The UK premier can sometimes cut a lonely figure in her Brexit battles, 27 to one in the EU less than perfect odds.

At home, it's often no easier.

Members of the UK Parliament have three times blocked her Brexit deal to leave the EU.

And this week they passed a law stopping her from leaving without a deal.

With just hours before Britain and parts of the EU feel the full economic fallout from a No Deal Brexit, the UK Premier set off on a mini-tour of Berlin and Paris.

Explaining to German Chancellor Angela Merkel that she has a plan, which requires just a bit more time.

Such the uncertainty, the UK is planning to contest the EU Parliamentary elections at the same as planning to leave the EU.

Some, particularly the French, wonder about May's plan and seek evidence.

AMELIE DE MONTCHALIN FRENCH EU MINISTER "We want to understand what the UK needs this extension for and what are the political surroundings around Theresa May to have this extension."

And that's what she's been telling French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The plan in part is beginning talks with UK Labour Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, enraging hard-line Brexiteers in her own Parliamentary ranks, while at the same so far failing to stump up a solution.

Exasperated, the Prime Minister made a video this week called "What on Earth's happening with Brexit":

THERESA MAY UK PRIME MINISTER "And so we're talking, can we find a way through this that ensures we can get a good deal, and a deal agreed through Parliament."

And the answer to that is exactly what EU leaders in Brussels are demanding to know.

RICHARD BESTIC LONDON "So, nearly three years down the road from the Brexit referendum and the UK's hours from leaving without a deal. The political reality? A Brexit extension could be approved in Brussels later – but possibly a long one, not May's preferred choice. But if that does happen, this place will be jumping. RB, CGTN, London."