Prime minister Theresa May blames parliament after requesting delay to Brexit
![Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement about Brexit in Downing Street, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday March 20, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_112919818.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Prime Minister Theresa May making a statement about Brexit in Downing Street, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday March 20, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire](/img/placeholder.png)
Ms May, addressing the nation at Downing Street, said it was a matter of ‘personal regret’ that MPs had not been able to agree a deal to leave the EU on March 29.
In a statement this evening, she said: ‘We will now not leave on time with a deal on March 29. This delay is a matter of great personal regret for me.’
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Hide AdShe continued: ‘Of this I am absolutely sure – you, the public, have had enough.
‘I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide.’
Earlier, European Council president Donald Tusk said a short delay ‘would be possible’ after the formal request for an extension.
But the EU would only agree the delay if MPs accepted Ms May’s deal.