The European Parliament’s Brexit chief has criticised Theresa May for delaying a parliamentary vote on her deal, branding the decision “one of the most reckless” he had ever seen in his life.
Guy Verhofstadt accused the prime minister of “kicking the can down the road” and adding to the “crippling uncertainty” for citizens and businesses.
The prime minister announced over the weekend that she would not be holding a Commons vote this week, despite a looming deadline to ratify an agreement before the UK crashes out.
Critics have accused Ms May of deliberately delaying the vote to “run down the clock” and put extra pressure on MPs to back her with the thread of a damaging no-deal.
She lost the first meaningful vote on her deal by a historic margin of defeat for any government.
“Kicking the can down the road only adds to the crippling uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the channel and for millions of citizens,” Mr Verhofstadt said.
“I have seen many surprising decisions in a lifetime in politics. But this is close to being one of the most reckless.”
Labour had said the decision to delay the vote was “the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure”.
Arriving at a summit in Egypt on Sunday the prime minister had said the delay was justified because “positive” talks were taking place with the EU that could produce a solution to the backstop.
The PM’s claim is however not reflected in Brussels, where officials have expressed bemusements at repeated visits from the prime minister and her ministers. Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, said last week that he was not optimistic at the prospect of avoiding a no-deal following the meeting with Ms May, and that their talks had simply amounted to a chat.
British negotiators will be returning to the EU capital on Tuesday, the prime minister confirmed. The prime minister will make a statement to the Commons on the same day, with further votes on an amendable motion on Wednesday. MPs are expected to use that opportunity to push legislation that would take a no-deal Brexit off the table by mandating an extension of the negotiation period.
Reports out of Brussels on Sunday evening suggest the EU would be open to offering the UK a long extension to Brexit – possibly until as late as 2021.