BREXIT: United Kingdom Sets Date To Leave European Union

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) says the country will leave the European Union by the end of the month, October 31, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson sending EU leaders a letter requesting another extension to the Brexit deadline.

YaahooJournalist reports that this was revealed on Sunday by Senior officials in the British government.

“We are going to leave by October 31,” the official in charge of planning for a “no-deal” Brexit, Michael Gove said Sunday. “We have the means and the ability to do so.”

In a second, personal letter Johnson sent to EU leaders Saturday evening, the UK PM wrote, “I remain confident that we will complete the [Brexit] process by 31 October.”

Despite this confidence, the British PM has demanded a three-month extension, requesting EU leaders to allow the UK to leave the bloc on January 31 rather than October 31.

Johnson made that request in a formal, unsigned letter he was required by law to send to the EU following the passage of a measure mandating it be sent in Parliament Saturday.

British PM followed that message with a second, signed letter on Downing Street stationary that outlined his own stance on Parliament’s request for an extension. It was in that letter he said he plans to move ahead with seeking approval of the Brexit deal he reached with EU leaders last week.

“I have made clear since becoming Prime Minister … that a further extension would damage the interests of the UK and our EU partners, and the relationship between us,” Johnson wrote in the second letter.

“We must bring this process to a conclusion so that we can move to the next phase and build our new relationship on the foundations of our long history as neighbours and friends in this continent our people’s share.”

This second letter is likely to spark court challenges arguing Johnson sent it intending to block Parliament’s extension request, the Associated Press reported. The prime minister has already lost a court battle over Brexit, when he was taken before judges over his decision to suspend Parliament, Vox reports.

The report said the initial reactions to both letters in the EU suggest the extension request could be granted. EU President and Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne said Sunday, “It makes sense to allow extra time.” The EU’s head Brexit negotiator also said he has seen indications member states will approve the request.

Meanwhile, all 27 EU leaders must agree in order to grant the extension — as they discuss whether to do so, Johnson has just 11 days to convince lawmakers, including some of his own party, to sign on to the deal he’s brokered with the EU.