Brexit news: Labour-Tory talks set to implode as Theresa May condemned by opposition, amid MPs' anger over delay

Labour attacks prime minister for refusal to offer 'compromise or change'

Theresa May says UK will seek 'short extension' as she reaches out to Corbyn for new deal

Theresa May has written to the EU requesting a Brexit extension until 30 June, as top-level talks between Jeremy Corbyn and the prime minister's negotiating teams appear on the brink of collapse.

It comes amid suggestions the bloc will offer the UK a year-long "flexible" delay at next week's emergency summit in Brussels next week.

A plan being drawn up by Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, would allow the UK to leave earlier if parliament approves an exit deal.

Here's how we covered the day's development as they happened

Key Points

• May and Corbyn talks on brink of collapse
• PM writes to EU requesting 30 June Brexit extension amid Westminster impasse
• ... as attorney general warns delay could last until next year 
• ... and May says government will make 'responsible preparations' for European elections
• EU slaps down Rees-Mogg for suggestion UK should deliberately cause chaos if Brexit is delayed

[5 April 2019 08:31 · Ashley Cowburn]

Welcome to The Independent's live political coverage. In the last few minutes, it has emerged that Theresa May has written to the European Council president Donald Tusk requesting a further extension to the Article 50 process. 

The extension request could be for up to a further year, amid reports that EU officials are considering offering the PM a flexible extension - or "flextension" - to the negotiating deadline.

Mr Tusk is preparing to put the option to EU leaders at a crunch summit next Wednesday in a bid to prevent the UK crashing out of the bloc on April 12, according to the BBC.

Top-level talks aimed at finding a way out of the Brexit deadlock at Westminster will also continue between the government and Labour on Friday.

One source told The Independent that "no bigger offer" has been made so far in the negotiations, but the talks are "ongoing." We'll bring you any update on this throughout the day. 

[5 April 2019 08:32 · Ashley Cowburn]

[5 April 2019 08:57 · Ashley Cowburn]

Theresa May has sent off her letter to Donald Tusk, requesting a 30 June extension to the negotiating period. 

In her letter, the prime minister says the "impasse cannot be allowed to continue" to Westminster and hopes talks with Jeremy Corbyn will result in the agreement of a proposal that can be put before the House of Commons.

The PM says it remains the government's view that despite her reluctant request for an Article 50 extension, it is not in the interest of both parties to take part in May's European elections. 

"However, the UK accepts the European Council's view that if the UK were still a member state of the EU on 23 May 2019, it would be under a legal obligation to hold the elections. 

"The government is therefore undertaking the lawful and responsible preparations for this contingency, including by making the order that sets the date of the poll. 

You can read the letter in full here

[5 April 2019 09:17 · Ashley Cowburn]

[5 April 2019 09:37 · Ashley Cowburn]

[5 April 2019 09:54 · Ashley Cowburn]

Responding to the prime minister's letter, Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted: "If a long extension leaves us stuck in the EU we should be as difficult as possible. We could veto any increase in the budget, obstruct the putative EU army and block Mr Macron's integrationist schemes." 

[5 April 2019 10:08 · Ashley Cowburn]

[5 April 2019 10:19 · Ashley Cowburn]

[5 April 2019 10:40 · Ashley Cowburn]

Nicola Sturgeon has written an open letter to EU citizens living in Scotland, telling them: "This is your home, you are welcome here and we want you to stay."

In her letter, made available in several different languages, the first minister wrote that the hardest part of Brexit had been meeting people from the EU who have no certainty over whether they will be able to stay in the country.

Ms Sturgeon said: "As EU citizens in the UK, you have had to endure years of careless indecision on what the future holds for your lives, your careers and your families.

"Many of you have been living in Scotland for several years and have built your lives and raised your families here.

"The hardest part of dealing with Brexit has been meeting EU citizens across Scotland, who want to stay here but who do not know what steps they need to take and whether their rights will be secured."

She added: "The closer we move towards the UK's exit from the European Union, the more real and substantial reassurances about your rights and position in this country you need.

"As the First Minister of Scotland, I want to thank you for the contribution you make to Scotland.

"I am proud to say this is your home, you are welcome here and we want you to stay."

[5 April 2019 10:52 · Ashley Cowburn]

Commenting on the prime minister's Article 50 letter this morning, Caroline Lucas, the Green MP and support of the pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, said Ms May's actions were "completely at odds with reality". 

"The EU rejected an extension until the 30th June just weeks ago and they look set to do the same again at European Council next week. This is a national humiliation. Far from taking back control, we are now completely at the mercy of the EU27. 

"This letter also undermines ongoing talks with Labour by effectively ruling out a people's vote on the final deal. Both party leaders, and our EU partners, must recognise that we need more time to get out of this gridlock, and not force parliament to make a decision in days which it’s been impossible to get to in almost three years.

"If that means we participate in the European elections, bring it on. We shouldn’t be fearful of any sort of democratic process or event, and there is certainly no way in which a trip to the ballot box on 23 May should be a reason to leave with an ill thought through rushed and harmful deal.

"Any form of Brexit damages jobs, communities and our environment. We must use the Article 50 extension granted by the EU wisely, going back to the British people so that they can have the final say on Brexit."