News that Theresa May might be prepared to delay Britain’s departure from the EU until the end of 2021 has caused fury on the front pages of several newspapers today.
The Daily Mail is scathing: “Another year in Brexit limbo?”, asks the paper’s shrill headline, reporting that the “PM ‘could make UK wait even longer’ to avoid no-deal cliff edge (but we’d have to keep paying EU billions)”. The Mail says delaying leaving the bloc until the end of 2021 means it won’t happen until “five and a half years after the vote to leave”.
Thursday’s Daily MAIL: “ANOTHER Year In Brexit Limbo?” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/efloQLVbhg
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) October 17, 2018
Also furious is the Sun, which goes with the headline “Brextra time!”, saying “UK could be under control of EU for one more year”. Their lead picture is of Jean-Claude Juncker and Theresa May greeting one another with a kiss, with the fairly dramatic caption: “Is this the kiss of death?”
Tomorrow's front page: Theresa May says Britain could stay tied to EU for another year https://t.co/3wiwkFal9D pic.twitter.com/tJ2RDH5kC8
— The Sun (@TheSun) October 17, 2018
The FT also has the kiss on its front page, with a caption “Kiss and tell”. But its main story is about the US threatening EU banks if Brussels refuses to water down post-Brexit plans to oversee clearing houses.
The i’s headline coveys the news without the outrage: “May open to Brexit extension in bid to save deal”. The paper also reports that UK citizens may need visas to visit France. The Daily Telegraph’s headline is “May offers to extend transition by a year”, saying that the PM is “playing for time”.
Thursday’s i - “May open to Brexit extension in bid to save deal” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/yCQeLGNSfj
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) October 17, 2018
The Guardian leads on Brexit but takes a different tack, focusing on Donald Tusk’s demand that May provide “new facts” to help unblock Brexit talks.
The Daily Express, the Daily Mirror and the Times all lead on non-Brexit stories – respectively, cutting the free TV license for over-75s, an interview with Sergei Skripal’s mother, and a care scandal.
Thursday’s GUARDIAN: “Brexit deadlock as May ‘offers no new ideas’ at EU summit” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/K6z14EjZ0k
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) October 17, 2018
