Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted Brexit could be delayed.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the foreign secretary became the first senior Government minister to admit Article 50 to withdraw from the EU may have to be extended.
Pressed on the likelihood of a “technical delay” in leaving the EU, Mr Hunt said: “I think that depends on how long this process takes.
"I think it is true that if we ended up approving a deal in the days before March 29, we might need some extra time to pass critical legalisation.
“But if we are able to make progress sooner, that might not be necessary. We can’t know at this stage exactly which of those scenarios would happen.”
Asked if the process would go to the end of March, Mr Hunt said: “I think it’s difficult to know. But what I would say is whereas a week ago, none of us knew if this was going to be possible, we are now in a situation where it clearly is possible.
“There are lots and lots of hurdles, no one is saying this isn’t going to be very challenging, but we do now have a consensus in Parliament.
“We can use that consensus, providing we can meet these very reasonable concerns from our friends in Ireland not having a hard border, concerns in the EU about access to the single market.
“Providing we can do that, which I think we can, I think there is a way through.”
It came after business secretary Greg Clark urged Prime Minister Theresa May to reach out across the political divide to secure a Brexit deal that can command a "substantial" Commons majority.
Mr Clark, who strongly opposes a no-deal break, suggested ministers should be prepared to a listen to calls for a customs union with the EU, even though it runs counter to Government policy.
