The saga continues...
Theresa May has thrown the Brexit saga into disarray by suggesting that it may be delayed while the UK government seeks out a transitional deal.
May's government originally said that Article 50 would be triggered by the end of March 2017, which would begin the three-year withdrawal process from the European Union ending with Brexit in 2019.
However, speaking to the audience at the Confederation of British Industry, May said: "People do not want a cliff edge."
The cliff edge being referred to is a sudden drop out of the EU bloc and the uncertainty that would follow such a change in relationship with Europe.
Speaking with a spokesperson from the British Government,
The Independent investigated whether this comment means that a transitional deal is being sought by Theresa May, one that would stretch out the process of leaving the EU.
The Downing Street spokesperson told
The Independent: "There are a whole range of issues that are being worked through as we prepare for negotiations, with a focus on how we get the best deal for the UK."
When quizzed specifically on whether a transitional deal was being sought, the spokesperson said: "There’s a whole range of work going on."
The spokesperson also said: "There is a process whereby you can extend the Article 50 negotiations, but that requires the agreement of other member states."
The news comes just a week after a leaked memo appeared to show that the
UK Government still had no plans in place to deal with Brexit, although the legitimacy of the memo was contested by MPs.
