Britain should come up with clear reason for extension to March 29 deadline: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said Britain would need to come up with a clear reason for requesting an extension to the March 29 deadline for leaving the European Union, saying extra time could not be used to renegotiate the withdrawal. "The withdrawal agreement is not negotiable," Macron said during a visit to Kenya. "If the British ask for a delay it could perhaps be a technical delay to allow more time to put their departure in place.

"But if an additional delay is requested, they need to explain why," he added. "It cannot be to allow more negotiations over something we've already negotiated for many months and said cannot be further negotiated." The British parliament on Tuesday rejected the withdrawal agreement Prime Minister Theresa May negotiated with the European Union, raising the likelihood that Britain will either leave the EU without a deal or try to ask for more time.