How will the Letwin amendment affect Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal and why was it passed?

Politics Explained: MPs’ vote activates legal requirement for the prime minister to request an extension to Brexit

Andrew Woodcock
Political Editor
Sunday 20 October 2019 19:15 BST
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Boris Johnson: 'Now is the time for this great House of Commons to come together and bring the country together'

The amendment passed by the House of Commons today activates a legal requirement for Boris Johnson to ask Brussels for an extension to the Brexit process, meaning he risks missing his target of taking the UK out of the EU by 31 October.

It was deployed by opponents of a no-deal Brexit as an insurance policy to ensure Mr Johnson cannot crash the UK out this month, in a dramatic demonstration of MPs’ lack of trust in the prime minister.

And he immediately demonstrated his determination to resist, telling the House of Commons that he will not negotiate a delay to Brexit with the EU.

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