New Brexit date of 22 May likely if Parliament approves divorce deal: EU's Barnier

Britain would secure a new Brexit date of May 22 if its parliament approves the EU divorce deal on Friday, the bloc's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday. "Important vote today in House of Commons. As a reminder, approval of Withdrawal Agreement by 29 March will secure extension to 22 May," Michel Barnier said on Twitter.

Should Britain fail to ratify the stalled deal this week, the EU thinks it would either crash out from the bloc shortly after Apr 12 or be forced to ask Brussels for another delay of the Brexit date, this time a long one.