BREXIT BOMBSHELL: Tory MEPs called to meeting at No 10 - claims Article 50 to be EXTENDED
THERESA May has called Conservative MEPs to Downing Street amid speculation an imminent delay to Brexit is set to be announced.
Number 10 has said the meeting is normal but it is claimed MEPs believe she is plotting to extend Article 50.
And this would mean British European politicians would have to stand in May's European Parliament elections.
However, earlier this morning a government spokesperson said the Prime Minister had "ruled out" extending Article 50 after Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was quoted as saying it is "more likely" that Brexit won't happen if Parliament votes down the deal next week.
Jeremy Hunt: NO Brexit is possible if May's deal is voted down
Europe's MEPs are due to debate the result of the meaningful vote on Wednesday morning from 7.30am UK time.
However, it is not yet clear if the Prime Minister wants the meaningful vote, which she appears doomed to lose, to go ahead or if she plans to delay Article 50 before Tuesday's Brexit deal judgement.
Buzzfeed's political editor broke the news that MEPs are being recalled immediately from Brussels to meet the Prime Minister.
MEPs will have a debate about the #Brexit meaningful vote on WEDNESDAY morning in Strasbourg, starting at 0830 (0730 British time)
— Adam Fleming (@adamfleming) January 11, 2019
Conservative MEPs have been summoned to Downing Street to meet the PM... No10 source says it's a regular meeting but MEPs are speculating about an extension to Article 50 meaning they would have to stand in the May Euro elections...
— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) January 11, 2019
He tweeted: "Conservative MEPs have been summoned to Downing Street to meet the PM.
"No10 source says it's a regular meeting but MEPs are speculating about an extension to Article 50 meaning they would have to stand in the May Euro elections."
Theresa May has called Conservative MEPs to Downing Street for a meeting. Rumours circulating an Article 50 extension will be debated but a source inside the Parliament tells me it’s far more routine than that. #Brexit
— Joe Barnes (@Barnes_Joe) January 11, 2019
Meanwhile Express.co.uk's Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes said rumours were circulating about a possible Article 50 extension.
However, cagey European Parliament sources moved to squash the reports, saying the meeting is "far more routine."
And Conservative MEPs' leader Ashley Fox said: "Reports that Conservative MEPs have been summoned by the Prime Minister to discuss Article 50 are pure invention.
"We are holding one of our regular meetings in London later this month. I requested a meeting with the Prime Minister and was pleased when she agreed.
"The date was fixed before Christmas."