Theresa May has hinted she would rather resign as prime minister than see Brexit delayed beyond June 30.
The prime minister formally asked the EU for a short extension to Article 50 on Wednesday in order to try and force through her twice-rejected deal.
Downing Street has admitted the UK is now in “crisis” as parliament remains deadlocked over what to do.
Speaking during PMQs today, May repeated three times that: “As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than 30 June.”
The statement has been interpreted as a promise to quit rather than sanction a longer extension of Article 50.
It also suggests she will accept a no-deal Brexit if MPs do not vote in favour of an agreement before the end of June.
The PM was repeatedly heckled with shouts of “resign” from the Labour benches as she spoke.
Several members of the May’s cabinet yesterday spoke out heavily against a lengthy delay to Brexit.
Her decision to ask Brussels for a shorter three-month delay is seen as designed to prevent resignations.
But May faces a furious backlash from pro-Brexit Tory MPs over her decision to postpone exit day beyond March 29 at all.
Backbencher Peter Bone told the PM to her face today: “If you continue to apply for an extension for Article 50, you will be betraying the British people.”
In order to secure a delay, the EU has to agree. Brussels has said it needs to know “the reason and the usefulness” of any UK request for an extension before deciding whether to grant it.
A spokesperson for Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, said this morning that “patience wearing thin”.
Leaving without a deal on March 29 – next Friday – remains the legal default.
May’s plan to ask MPs to vote for a third time on her Brexit deal earlier this week was torpedoed by John Bercow.
The speaker announced it was against parliamentary rules for the government to repeatedly ask the Commons to vote on the same motion until it got the answer it wanted.