Boris Johnson government admits for first time he will ask EU for Brexit delay if deal fails

Boris Johnson will bow to the law and send a letter requesting a delay to Brexit if he fails to pass a deal by Saturday’s deadline, a cabinet minister has said for the first time.

Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, ended weeks of defiance by No 10, admitting the government “will comply” with the commitment it gave to a Scottish court last month.

“I confirm that the government will abide by what it set out in that letter,” he told a committee of MPs.

Until now, Downing Street has threatened to defy the law, even by challenging the terms of the Benn Act in court – and even with the threat of Mr Johnson being sent to jail.

Only six weeks ago, he famously said he would “rather be dead in a ditch” than be forced to ask the EU for an extension beyond the 31 October deadline.

Even after No 10 wrote to the Scottish court – saying the prime minister “will send a letter....no later than 19 October” – it later tried to rubbish its implications.

However, Mr Barclay’s comments leaves open the possibility of a second letter being sent, in which Mr Johnson might seek to argue he does not want the delay he had been forced to request.

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