The UK is heading for a Halloween Brexit after Theresa May Brexit: EU leaders agree extension until HALLOWEEN after Theresa May showdown
The agreement has definitively ruled out a no-deal Brexit this Friday, less than 48 hours before it was due to happen.
The new Autumn date was a compromise solution thrashed out in five hours of talks in Mrs May's absence, after French President Emmanuel Macron held out against a longer extension lasting into 2020.
European Council President Donald Tusk said that the "flexible extension" would provide "an additional six months for the UK to find the best possible solution".
It is understood that the UK would be able to leave earlier if Parliament ratifies an EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Here are 5 fast facts you need to know this morning - or you can read a full-blown explanation Brexit delay explained: What on earth happened last night and what happens now?
Brexit delay explained: What on earth happened last night and what happens now?
1. Theresa May will face mutinous MPs after delaying Brexit
Theresa May will give a statement to Parliament later today after agreeing to delay Brexit to October 31 at the latest.
The delay was the second in just a month - and directly contradicts May's vow that, "as Prime Minister", she would not delay beyond June 30.
It means we have to hold EU elections, even if the extension is cut short. If we refuse to hold them, we'll crash out on July 1.
We will remain full EU members until we leave, after EU chiefs trusted the UK wouldn't follow Jacob Rees-Mogg's threat to make life as difficult as possible by blocking EU budgets and rules.
That was despite a bid to put several conditions on us by France's Emmanuel Macron - which led to a major row.
Brexit: EU leaders agree extension until HALLOWEEN after Theresa May showdown
2. EU chief Donald Tusk warned us not to waste the time - and said we could CANCEL Brexit
The European Council President, Donald Tusk, explained the EU27 had agreed to give the UK an extension.
But he implored the UK: "Please do not waste this time".
He said the UK can still revoke Article 50 to stop the countdown clock. This will spark a renewed push for a second referendum which could cancel Brexit altogether.
At a press conference, Mr Tusk said: "Tonight the European Council decided to grant the United Kingdom a flexible extension of the Article 50 period until October 31.
"This means an additional six months for the UK. During this time, the course of action will be entirely in the UK's hands.
"It can still ratify the withdrawal agreement, in which case the extension will be terminated.
"It can also reconsider the whole Brexit strategy. That might lead to changes in the political declaration, but not in the withdrawal agreement.
"Until the end of this period, the UK will also have the possibility to revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit altogether."
3. It may not be the last extension
Article 50 - the process which sets the countdown to Brexit - does not specify a limit on extensions.
Asked if Brexit could be extended again, EU chief Donald Tusk said: "Our intention is to finalise the whole process in October.
"The political intention was clear among the member states; that our wish and our hope is that the UK will be ready with the final solution."
He added: "But, I am too old to exclude another scenario. I think still everything is possible."
4. Tory MPs are mutinous
Now there are threats within the Tory party that MPs could make a move to force Theresa May to stand down.
A whopping 177 refused to back even a short extension to June 30 this week - let alone a much longer one.
Hardline Brexiteer Peter Bone said: "If the PM intends to keep her word, can we expect her resignation later tonight?"
Yet Tory sources said the PM stood by her vow to cling on until the deal is passed.
That way, she can quit and hand over to a successor for the second phase of negotiations after ratification, and avoid plunging the UK into chaos when a deal isn't signed.
5. And Donald Trump has hurled in his gigantic oar
US president Donald Trump waded into the row with an excuse to berate the EU and swing behind the UK.
The problem with this is we're not ready to do a trade deal with Trump's America, which is making demands on food standards - like us accepting chlorinated chicken - which many say are unacceptable.
He tweeted: "Too bad that the European Union is being so tough on the United Kingdom and Brexit. The E.U. is likewise a brutal trading partner with the United States, which will change.
"Sometimes in life you have to let people breathe before it all comes back to bite you!"
Brexit: Trump attacks 'brutal' EU warning behaviour will 'come back to bite you'
