Britain has been urged to appoint a member of the EU's top decision-making body - to prevent it falling into chaos while Brexit is delayed.
Boris Johnson has refused to appoint a commissioner to the European Commission - the body which proposes laws and manages the day-to-day business of the EU.
Number 10 insiders are reportedly plotting to throw the body into chaos if the UK remains a member of the EU beyond the October 31 deadline by refusing to send a representative.
The new Commission takes office the following day.
And it’s thought it would not be “legally constituted” without a Commissioner from every member state - which could paralyse the body’s decision making functions.
North West Labour MEP Julie Ward has written to Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s Permanent Representative in Brussels, urging the Government to appoint someone to take part during the three month delay parliament has demanded.
Sir Tim wrote to the EU's transition team last month, confirming the UK would not be sending a commissioner.
In her letter to Sir Tim, she wrote: "We believe that given the UK is still a Member State of the European Union it should play its full part in that role and fulfil the treaties we are still signed up to."
Ms Ward told the Mirror: “We now need to start making preparations for what seems a likely extension of Article 50 after the passing of the Benn Bill.
“While the UK Parliament is being historically and unhelpfully prorogued the UK must honour its member state duties and the treaties we are party to.
“We must give the European Parliament a sufficient amount of time for commissioner hearings and play a full role as longs as we are in the EU, no ifs, no buts."
