"Convincing justification" for UK govt if it delays its departure from EU, says Dutch PM

Any request from the British government for a delay to its departure from the European Union must be supported by a "credible and convincing justification", Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.

"Should the UK hand in a reasoned request for an extension, I expect a credible and convincing justification," Rutte tweeted after the British parliament overwhelmingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement for a second time.

The British parliament is likely to vote on Thursday on requesting a delay to Britain's departure -- something that would have to be approved by the EU's other 27 member states.