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BRITAIN must choose between Theresa May's deal and a No Deal Brexit, the EU warned today.

European leaders were set to sign off on a Brexit delay - pushing our exit date back to May 22.

 Theresa May at the European Council in Brussels today
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Theresa May at the European Council in Brussels todayCredit: Mario Salerno

But they said that the extension will take effect only if MPs approve the PM's deal next week - and it CAN'T go beyond two months.

The leader's statement from the European Council in Brussels implies we will crash out with No Deal on March 29 if the Commons doesn't back the withdrawal agreement in days.

As Mrs May fights a last-ditch battle to save her plan:

Arriving for the European Council summit this afternoon, Mrs May said: "This is a matter of personal regret for me but a short extension would give Parliament time to make a final choice that delivers on the result of the referendum.

"What is important is that Parliament delivers on the result of the referendum and that we deliver Brexit for the British people. I sincerely hope that we can do that with a deal.

"We're nearly three years on from the original vote - it is now the time for Parliament to decide.

"A short extension gives us that opportunity to decide to leave the European Union, to deliver on that result of that referendum and I sincerely hope that will be with a negotiated deal."

The PM refused to confirm that she will go all-out for No Deal if her deal is rejected in a third meaningful vote in the Commons.

BEGGING BOWL

Mrs May held talks with Donald Tusk, Emmanuel Macron and Leo Varadkar before formal summit proceedings with all 27 EU leaders.

She asked to delay Brexit until June 30 - but the leaders resolved to offer an extension until May 22 instead.

Their draft conclusions stated: "The European Council commits to agreeing before March 29, 2019 to an extension until May 22, 2019, provided the withdrawal agreement is approved by the House of Commons next week.

"Given that the UK does not intend to hold elections to the European Parliament, no extension is possible beyond that date."

But tonight they were locked in an hours-long argument about the exact conditions of a delay as the leaders of different countries clashed over how tough they should be on Britain.

Arriving at the council, Mr Macron blasted: "We have to be clear - we can discuss and agree an extension, if this is a technical extension in the case of a Yes vote on the agreement we negotiated during two years.

"In case of a No vote, directly it will guide everybody to a No Deal, for sure. This is it."

But Angela Merkel struck a softer line, saying: "To the last hour, we must do everything to ensure that there can be an orderly British exit from the EU."

Military bosses today set up a new No Deal unit based in a nuclear bunker which can deploy 3,500 troops to help avoid Brexit chaos.

Earlier today Remainer and Brexiteer Tories - as well as Labour MPs - came out to slam Mrs May's Brexit broadside, saying it was insulting to MPs and could spark more physical attacks and threats.

The PM used her speech in No10 last night to attack MPs and blame them for the Brexit impasse.

Speaking to the nation, she blasted: "Of this I am absolutely sure: you the public have had enough. You are tired of the infighting. You are tired of the political games and arcane procedural rows.

"Tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit when you have real concerns about our children’s schools, our National Health Service, and knife crime. It's time for MPs to decide."

She said she was on the side of the public who backed her deal and just wanted Britain to get on with it.

In case of a No vote, directly it will guide everybody to a No Deal, for sure

Emmanuel Macron

An exclusive poll for the Sun this week showed most voters thought MPs were at fault too - with 56 per cent saying they were using the delay as an excuse to keep us in the EU permanently.

Brits also accused the Commons of damaging Britain's chances of scoring a good Brexit deal from the EU.

Jacob Rees-Mogg said there was a "constitutional clash between the electors and the elected".

But the MPs Mrs May needs to get on-side to get her deal past the Commons next week said the speech had infuriated some so much they wouldn't vote for it.

Tory Brexiteer Mark Francois told Sky News this morning: "If you're trying to persuade numbers of MPs to back a proposition, you don't do that by insulting them."

And his Tory colleague Philip Lee added: "It strikes me as completely out of order that the Prime Minister can deliver such a statement."

Recently departed minister Sam Gyimah added: "Democracy loses when a prime minister who set herself against the House of Commons and then blames MPs for doing their job.

"And this is particularly worrying given she knows MPs are receiving hate mail in their inboxes."

Ex-Brexit Minister David Jones said a number of colleagues were "upset" at the "blame shifting to MPs" and it has put them off voting for her deal when it comes back to the Commons as expected next week.

Remainers were equally furious at her words - and accused of her increasing the threats against MPs.

Labour's Wes Streeting said: "Theresa May knows that MPs across the House are subjected to death threats - some very credible.

"Her speech was incendiary and irresponsible. If it any harm comes to any of us, she will have to accept her share of responsibility."

And Lisa Nandy, who the PM is trying to get on board to back her deal, said: "The Prime Minister's statement was disgraceful. Pitting Parliament against the people in the current environment is dangerous and reckless."

Downing Street today completely denied her speech had increased any risk to MPs.

But it's feared the backlash from her speech could be a sign she's killed off her deal completely.

Meanwhile, this morning Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt sparked panic when he said that Brexit could be cancelled next week.

He suggested that it was "possible" that MPs could force a reversal to Brexit, the EU would demand we hold a second referendum, or have No Deal next week.

Mr Hunt told the BBC: "Parliament could vote to revoke Article 50, cancelling the Brexit process...

"There could be an emergency summit to offer us an extension. Then we have No Deal as the legal default on Friday."

Irish PM Leo Varadkar appeared to welcome the prospect of a cancellations, saying: "No Deal can only ever be a British choice.

"Let's not forget the March 29 deadline was set by the UK in the first place. It's always up to them, even at the last moment, to revoke Article 50 unilaterally.

"They do not need permission to do that so No Deal, if it happens, will be a British choice and a British decision."

This morning Jeremy Corbyn was asked if he would revoke Article 50 if the deal was rejected again, but he dodged the question.

After meetings in Brussels today he said: "These are hypotheticals... so far as we are concerned we think there's an urgency in constructing an agreement for a reasonable solution."

But a Labour spokesperson said: "As we have always said, we respect the result of the referendum and will do whatever is necessary to prevent a No Deal outcome. We do not believe that revoking Article 50 is in any way necessary."

Corbyn tries to undermine May by demanding soft Brexit at Brussels summit

JEREMY Corbyn will today try to undermine Theresa May by demanding a soft Brexit just hours before she begs the bloc to extend Article 50.

The Labour boss is jetting into Brussels for discussions with the EU's Michel Barnier ahead of a crunch summit with all the leaders of the EU27.

He'll chat with two EU commissioners and seven EU Prime Ministers in an attempt to win them over to his plan for Brexit instead.

Mr Corbyn said this morning ahead of the talks: "Theresa May's botched deal has been overwhelming rejected twice by parliament. It should not be brought back for a third time of asking. Her government is in chaos, and she is arrogantly trying to bully Parliament to vote for the same bad deal.

"After serious talks with senior MPs from across parliament, I believe it should be possible to agree a deal with the EU that secures a close economic relationship before the European parliament elections. I look forward to discussing this with European leaders today."

Labour wants the PM to back staying in a customs union with the bloc and stay closely alligned to it, even after we've left.

But that would mean we can't strike out on our own and do trade deals around the world, being unable to take advantage of the benefits of leaving.

Emmanuel Macron says Britain is headed towards no-deal if parliament votes down Brexit deal

Meanwhile, a petition to revoke Article 50 has gained more than 1million signatures in less than 24 hours as Remainers frantically scramble to try and block Brexit yet again.

But that would require Labour to get on board for a plan to reverse Brexit altogether.

And it would mean MPs would need to take control of the Parliamentary timetable too - because Mrs May is highly unlikely to bring forward such a proposal herself.

 The PM walking in to the European Council summit today
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The PM walking in to the European Council summit todayCredit: AFP
 Theresa May greeting Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels
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Theresa May greeting Jean-Claude Juncker in BrusselsCredit: Reuters
 The PM met European Council president Donald Tusk
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The PM met European Council president Donald TuskCredit: Twitter
 Today's European Council summit in Brussels
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Today's European Council summit in BrusselsCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Emmanuel Macron said Britain must choose May's deal or No Deal
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Emmanuel Macron said Britain must choose May's deal or No DealCredit: EPA
 A petition to revoke Article 50 has gathered a million signatures
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A petition to revoke Article 50 has gathered a million signaturesCredit: Rex Features
Theresa May says Brexit delay is a ‘matter of great personal regret’ as she blames MPs


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