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Britain Awaits EU Verdict on Brexit Delay as Deadline Looms

Henry Ridgwell

   LONDON -- European Union leaders are deciding on another extension to
   Britain's exit from the bloc, after lawmakers in Britain frustrated
   Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to leave by Oct. 31. The EU's
   decision is likely to come toward the end of this week.

   After previously pledging to leave by that deadline "do or die",
   Johnson now seems determined to seek an election as soon as possible.
   Speaking to lawmakers Wednesday, he insisted that his government still
   hopes to leave the bloc on the Halloween deadline.

   "I don't think the people of this country want a delay. I don't want a
   delay. I intend to press on. But I'm afraid we now have to see what our
   EU friends will decide on our behalf," Johnson said.

   The prime minister was forced by law to ask the EU for an extension,
   even though he didn't want one, after failing to pass his Brexit deal
   in Parliament last Saturday.

   The British leader then tried to rush the legislation through
   Parliament with just days to go before the deadline. While agreeing to
   the deal in principle, members of Parliament Tuesday voted against this
   timetable.

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