Brexit delay: Theresa May accused of 'pitting Parliament against the people' as she blasts MPs for blocking her deal

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Theresa May has been accused of “pitting Parliament against the people” by blasting MPs for doing “everything possible” to avoid making a decision on Brexit.

Furious MPs said Prime Minister’s impassioned speech to the nation after requesting an extension to Article 50 on Wednesday was “dangerous and reckless”.

Lisa Nandy, Labour MP for Wigan, said Mrs May was “pitting Parliament against the people” by blasting her colleagues for “infighting” and “political games”.

She said: “The Prime Minister’s statement was disgraceful. Pitting Parliament against the people in the current environment is dangerous and reckless.

“Yesterday her government attacked their civil servants. Now she’s attacking the MPs whose votes she needs. It will have cost her support.”

In a televised address from 10 Downing Street, Mrs May said it was "a matter of great personal regret for me" that Brexit will not go ahead on March 29 after she had to ask the EU for a delay.

She blamed MPs for failing to agree a means to implement the result of the 2016 referendum and said she believes voters just want this stage of the Brexit process to be over.

Mrs May told voters: "I am on your side."

Theresa makes a statement inside 10 Downing Street on Brexit
AFP/Getty Images

Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, said Mrs May’s speech was “incendiary and irresponsible” and suggested it could lead to MPs being harmed.

In a furious rant on Twitter, he wrote: “I’ve thought long and hard before saying this, but [Mrs May] knows that MPs across the House are subjected to death threats - some very credible.

“Her speech was incendiary and irresponsible. If any harm comes to any of us, she will have to accept her share of responsibility.”

Former Attorney General and Remain-backing Tory MP Dominic Grieve said the PM has "very much repeated" what she said in the House and said he "regretted her tone because it's a very aggressive one towards the House of Commons."

He told Sky News that for Mrs May "to attack and denigrate the sincerely held views of MPs is a mistake" and he "can't see how that will work in her advantage to find a solution to the problem."

Conservative Brexiteer Andrea Jenkyns said the PM’s statement mentioned "very little" and encouraged her to ensure that Brexit happens on March 29 regardless of Parliament.

Donald Tusk has said an extension would be granted if MPs back Mrs May's deal
REUTERS

"As usual another statement saying very little," she tweeted. "PM says she regrets having to delay. Then don't do it! It is in the Prime Minister's power to ensure we leave on the 29th, regardless of what Parliament suggests."

Fellow Conservative Conor Burns tweeted in response to the speech: "What was actually the point of that?"

Lucy Powell, a Labour member of a group of MPs in support of a "Norway-plus" model for Brexit, denounced the suggestion by Mrs May that the members of the Commons have not decided what they want

She wrote on Twitter that MPs have "never been asked what we want", adding: "We just keep getting asked about the same thing that we've said we don't want!"

In her speech, Mrs May said: "Of this, I am absolutely sure: You the public have had enough. You are tired of the infighting, you're tired of the political games and the arcane procedural rows, tired of MPs talking about nothing else but Brexit when you have real concerns about our children's schools, our National Health Service, knife crime.

"You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree. I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide."

PM Theresa May made a short statement in 10 Downing Street
AFP/Getty Images

She went on: "It is high time we made a decision. So far Parliament has done everything possible to avoid making a choice... tabling motion after motion and amendment after amendment."

"All MPs have been willing to say is what they don't want."

Mrs May said: "I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30."

Her remarks came after she held talks with opposition party leaders to discuss a way forward. Jeremy Corbyn refused to take part because members of the breakaway Independent Group were there, according to Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable and TIG spokesman Chuka Umunna.

Mrs May had today asked the EU to allow the UK's withdrawal date to be delayed to June 30 and threatened to resign as Prime Minister if MPs demand a longer postponement.

European Council President Donald Tusk then said the EU would grant a "short extension" but only if MPs back the Prime Minister's deal in the Commons during a third meaningful vote next week.

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