PM’s chance to update EU leaders on Brexit

THERESA May will be given an opportunity to “update” EU leaders on Brexit before they discuss the situation and “adopt relevant conclusions” in her absence, European Council president Donald Tusk said yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s intervention will come at the end of the working session of the Council summit in Brussels today, and ahead of a press conference by Mr Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker scheduled for 6pm UK time.

In a letter to EU leaders, Mr Tusk acknowledged the “seriousness” of the situation in the UK.

“The intention is that we will listen to the UK Prime Minister’s assessment, and later, we will meet as 27 to discuss the matter and adopt relevant conclusions,” he wrote.

“As time is running out, we will also discuss the state of preparations for a no-deal scenario.”

The remainder of the two-day summit will focus on issues including the EU’s budget for 2021-27 as well as foreign policy issues including the tensions in Ukraine and the rollover of sanctions against Russia.

Mrs May’s trip to Brussels comes after her emergency Brexit talks with fellow EU leaders were cut short so she could fight an effort to oust her as Conservative leader.

Her planned trip to Dublin for talks with Irish premier Leo Varadkar yesterday was also cancelled because of the confidence vote.