Boris Johnson will seek Brexit delay if no deal reached by mid-October, court told
- British government is fighting lawsuit by activists to force PM to seek extension if unable to arrive at agreement with EU
- Johnson previously said he would rather be ‘dead in ditch’ than delay Brexit
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will seek an extension to the October 31 Brexit deadline if no withdrawal deal with the European Union is reached by mid-October, according to a document read aloud in a Scottish court Friday.
The document quoted in Scotland’s Court of Session indicated Johnson intends to comply with a law parliament passed this month that requires the prime minister to ask the EU for a postponement if no deal is in place by October 19.
Lawyer Andrew Webster, representing the British government, said the documents were a “clear statement” of what the prime minister would do.
He was arguing in a court case brought by activists seeking a court order that would force Johnson to seek an extension. Webster said there is no need for a court intervention since the government has made its intentions known.
“What we have is a clear statement on behalf of the prime minister and government as to what it will do in respect to the requirements of the 2019 Act,” he said, referring to the law passed last month instructing the government to seek a delay if no deal is reached.