Brexit delay law does not stop UK doing other things to avoid extension - BBC, citing source

The British government can find ways to avoid delaying Brexit beyond the current divorce date of Oct. 31, the BBC's political editor said on Friday, citing a senior source in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Downing Street office. Under the so-called Benn Act if, by Oct. 19, the government has not agreed on a divorce deal with Brussels or parliament's approval for leaving the EU without a deal, Johnson must request a delay until Jan. 31, 2020.

"The govt is not prevented by Act from doing other things that cause no delay including other communications, private and public," wrote Laura Kuenssberg, citing the source. Kuenssberg said the view in government was that there was only a tiny chance of a deal being agreed by mid-October.

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