LONDON (AP) — The Latest on talks about Britain’s departure from the European Union (all times local):
11:50 a.m.
British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers’ backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks.
European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said Monday that “no further meetings at political level are scheduled.”
But May’s spokesman, James Slack, said “talks are ongoing” at a technical level, and there is “a shared determination by both sides to find a solution.”
British lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to approve May’s Brexit deal, which they resoundingly rejected in January. They look set to defeat it a second time, with the U.K. due to leave the bloc on March 29.
Pro-Brexit lawmakers have urged May to postpone Tuesday’s vote rather than risk another crushing defeat.
But Slack said the vote “will take place tomorrow.”
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9:15 a.m.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is fighting to save her European Union divorce deal with the negotiations deadlocked a day before Parliament is scheduled to vote on the plan.
May promised lawmakers two weeks ago they would get a second vote on the deal by March 12, but hard-line Brexit supporters are warning she should postpone the vote rather than risk another crushing defeat.
The House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected the deal in January, primarily because of concerns over arrangements for the Irish border. “Technical” talks aimed at securing concessions from the EU failed to secure a breakthrough over the weekend.
Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell told the Times of London that “anything that avoids what looks like a massive defeat on Tuesday is worth considering.”
