Brexiteers set to sue if Theresa May tries to delay Britain’s EU exit by extending Article 50 deadline
Campaigners are cranking up pressure on the PM to fulfil her pledge to take Britain out of the EU by March 29
BREXIT campaigners will mount a legal challenge if Theresa May tries to halt Britain’s departure from the EU.
They will seek a High Court ruling on any decision to extend or revoke Article 50 – and demand the right for Britain to retain our seats in the European Parliament.
How will this all end? Brexit outcomes explained
GENERAL ELECTION
The PM will face a no confidence vote today. But the DUP have already vowed to back her in it.
So it's pretty unlikely it will pass, leaving Labour red-faced yet again.
HOW LIKELY? 1/5
GOING SOFT
A cross-party group of MPs are frantically pushing an alternative Soft Brexit plan which could replace Mrs May's deal.
It would be welcomed by big business - but Brexit voters would be unhappy because it would mean Britain accepting open borders, and following European rules without a say.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
HARD AS NAILS
Most of the Tory Brexiteers who oppose the PM's deal want her to return to Brussels and strike a tougher line.
But Eurocrats currently insist it's impossible to re-open negotiations.
HOW LIKELY? 2/5
REFERENDUM RE-RUN
Dozens of MPs are hell-bent on forcing Mrs May to hold a second referendum so Britain can stay in the EU.
Yet without the support of the Government it's unlikely the second vote could become a reality.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
If Mrs May cannot pass a deal, the legal default is that we will leave the EU without a deal on March 29.
Despite the legal position, the majority of MPs insist they will take any measure necessary to rule out No Deal.
HOW LIKELY? 4/5
MAY TRIUMPHS - EVENTUALLY
Cabinet ministers remain adamant that a version of Theresa May's plan will eventually pass the Commons, even after losing last night.
They believe sceptical MPs will lose their nerve as Brexit Day approaches - terrified of either No Deal or a second referendum.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
The move raises the prospect of bitter, costly and long-running legal battle if defiant MPs wreck the process.
It also cranks up the pressure on the PM to deliver her pledge to take Britain out of the EU by March 29.
John Longworth, chairman of the pressure group Leave Means Leave, said: “We would challenge any move by the government to cancel Brexit.
“If the government decides to delay our departure, it would be incumbent on the EU to allow UK candidates to stand in the European elections next May.
"I’m confident we would challenge this in the courts if our membership were prolonged but not our representation.”
His warning raises the prospect of tit-for-tat action to mirror the Supreme Court action brought by anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller.
REBELS FIRE OFF BLANKS
REBEL MPs using guerrilla tactics to halt Brexit are “firing blanks”, a former Cabinet minister has warned.
Dominic Raab said all their options to beat the logjam would fail as they include giving up immigration control or heaping uncertainty on business with a second referendum.
He said: “It’s time to seize the day.”
Her victory handed more power to MPs, who are now frustrating Mrs May’s attempts to take Britain out in 68 days’ time.
Britain’s 73 seats in the European Parliament will disappear in May, with 27 of them re-distributed to other countries and the 46 others kept for future enlargement.
MOST READ IN BREXIT
It would spell administrative chaos on both sides of the Channel if the allocation of MEPs had to be returned at this late stage.
Mrs May spent the weekend in talking to MPs of all colours to find a compromise formula for getting a departure deal through Parliament.
LOVERS OPT FOR 'LEAVE'
BREXIT bust-ups have ended 1.6million British relationships so far.
Around 2.3 per cent of people polled say they have split with someone over their Leave/Remain stance.
One in seven — 16 per cent — admit Brexit has strained relationships with friends, relatives and work pals.
Two thousand people were quizzed for the dating site eharmony.
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