By Tim Stickings For Mailonline
Published: 20:18 GMT, 12 March 2019 | Updated: 20:29 GMT, 12 March 2019
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Britain will need a good reason for a Brexit delay if the House of Commons asks for an extension to Article 50 this week, Donald Tusk has warned.
The European Council president said Brussels would consider a 'reasoned request' for a longer Brexit process but demanded that the UK supply a 'credible justification'.
Mr Tusk said the chances of a no-deal Brexit were 'significantly higher' after MPs rejected Theresa May's agreement for a second time.
He said it was 'difficult to see what more we can do' to help Mrs May win support for her deal in Parliament.
Fellow EU heavyweight Guy Verhofstadt said that Brexiteers had wanted to 'take back control' but said the UK's exit had instead 'spiralled out of control'.
Donald Tusk, pictured, has warned that Britain will need a 'credible justification' for a Brexit delay if MPs support an extension to Article 50 this week
Saying that a solution to the Brexit crisis 'can only be found in London', he said Brussels would continue its preparations for a possible no-deal exit on March 29.
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron have previously warned that the UK will need a good reason to request a delay.
A spokesman for Mr Tusk said: 'We regret the outcome of tonight's vote and are disappointed that the UK Government has been unable to ensure a majority for the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by both parties in November.
'On the EU side we have done all that is possible to reach an agreement. Given the additional assurances provided by the EU in December, January and yesterday, it is difficult to
