EU agrees further Article 50 extension until 31 January 2020

The EU has formally accepted the UK's request for an extension to Article 50 to delay the UK’s departure from the EU until 31 January 2020. This has been described as a “flextension” on the basis that if the parties ratify the revised Withdrawal Agreement before January, under the terms of the extension the UK would leave the EU on the first day of the following month after such ratification.

In accordance with section 3(1) of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019, the Prime Minister subsequently wrote to EU Council President, Donald Tusk, formally to accept the proposed extension.

In the UK, the Bill to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement will not proceed through Parliament until after the forthcoming general election, due to be held on 12 December 2019.