David Lidington sets new Brexit deadline of mid-July as he confirms UK will take part in May 23 Euro elections

Downing St said: “The Prime Minister deeply regrets that we haven’t left the EU on time, which was by March 29, and a consequence of that is that we will have to take part in the European elections.

“She understands many members of the public will feel great frustration at this. Parliament has had several opportunities to vote to leave the EU but, sadly, none of those votes was passed. We wish to see the Withdrawal Agreement introduced and ratified by Parliament as soon as possible and, ideally, before MEPs take their seats.”

Last night, the cross-party talks broke up without resolution after a three-hour meeting. Downing St sources said they had been “constructive and detailed". The teams will meet again today.

Referring to the cross-party talks and the lack of a positive outcome, Mr Lidington, explained: “Given how little time there is…it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European parliamentary elections.”

He went on: "We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place but, legally, they do have to take place unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect; so those will now go ahead.”

Stressing how UK ministers would redouble their efforts in talks with MPs of all parties to try to ensure the delay to Brexit after the European elections was as short as possible, Mr Lidington added: “Ideally, we'd like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at the European Parliament; certainly, to get this done and dusted by the summer recess.”

Westminster’s summer recess usually begins in mid-July; no precise date has yet been given.

The Prime Minister wanted Britain to leave the EU on March 29, then she wanted a deal sealed by May 23 and now wants agreement reached by June 30, so that, after UK MEPs are elected, they will not have to take up their seats. In this scenario the UK would leave on July 1.

However, if the June 30 deadline is breached, then the Government is now pointing to the start of MPs’ summer recess in mid-July by which time the UK’s 73 MEPs would have taken their seats in the European Parliament. Were a deal sealed by then, Britain would leave on August 1.

It is, of course, possible that no deal is reached by mid-July also, which would mean the EU’s six-month extension to October 31 would run its course. In such circumstances should no deal be forthcoming by then, Britain would have two options: crash out on Hallowe’en without a deal or seek another Brexit extension. There is a European Council on October 17/18.

Responding to confirmation the May 23 Euro poll will go ahead, Stephen Gethins for the SNP said: “The Tories and Labour are engaged in a tawdry stitch-up aimed at delivering Theresa May’s rotten deal but this vote now gives the people of Scotland a chance to make clear they will not stand for Brexit.

“The SNP’s positive message on the doorstep is that Scotland’s place is in Europe and the only way to stop Brexit and its catastrophic consequences is by voting for the SNP,” added the Fife MP.

Change UK MP Chuka Umunna said: “Brexit in the form it was promised to the British people is impossible to deliver. The only way to end the Brexit chaos is to give people the final say, so they can vote based on the reality of Brexit today as opposed to the fantasy sold to people three years ago.”

The London MP added: “Whilst the main parties engage in their secret talks to facilitate a job-destroying Brexit, Change UK is campaigning in these European elections for a People’s Vote in which we will argue unequivocally to remain in the EU. Voting for Change UK will send the clearest possible message to Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn that you want to end this Brexit nightmare.”