UK agriculture and fisheries minister quits over Brexit delay

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George Eustice, UK's junior minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said Thursday he had resigned from the government over Prime Minister Theresa May's decision to offer parliament a possible vote on delaying Brexit.

With just over a month until Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, May is still seeking changes to her Brexit deal in order to win the backing of parliament.

May spikes day of danger, sets up dramatic Brexit votes in March

May offers MPs a choice: Deal, no-deal, or 'short' delay?

Under pressure from pro-EU ministers, earlier this week May promised lawmakers would get a say over whether to seek an extension to the Article 50 exit negotiation period if her Brexit deal and a "no deal" were rejected next month.

"I have decided to resign from the government following the decision this week to allow the postponement of our exit from the EU," Eustice said in a letter to May.

Anti-Brexit protesters shout slogans outside May's official residence 10 Downing Street in London, UK, February 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

In her letter of response, May said: "Our absolute focus should be on getting a deal that can command support in parliament and leaving on March 29. It is within our grasp."

Eustice, who said he would vote for May's deal when she brings it back to parliament, warned the terms of any extension would be dictated by the EU in a "final humiliation of our country."

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (2nd L, front row) with members of her cabinet during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) session in the House of Commons, London, February 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

"We cannot negotiate a successful Brexit unless we are prepared to walk through the door. We must therefore have the courage, if necessary, to reclaim our freedom first and talk afterwards," he said.

"We must be ready to face down the European Union here and now."

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday reiterated their united position on Brexit, saying that they would only consider an extension if it comes with a credible solution.

Also on Thursday, the British parliament voted 502-20 in support of an amendment proposed by opposition Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper that spelled out May's proposed timetable.

(Cover: George Eustice, UK's junior minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, addresses the House of Commons in London, February 8, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters