Pro-EU Mr Rutte issued a stark warning to the UK hours after MPs gave Theresa May the mandate to seek in Brussels a delay to Britain’s exit date from the bloc. The Dutch Prime Minister said his country is open to conceding an extension to Article 50, but will seek guarantees that the extra time will be used to break the political deadlock in London. He explained that while he sees fewer problems in granting a short, technical delay of a few weeks to implement a deal, he believes a longer postponement would be more difficult to grant.
If they want a delay the British need to explain how they plan to ensure a different outcome
Mark Rutte
He said: "If they want a delay the British need to explain how they plan to ensure a different outcome.”
Mr Rutte is the last of a series of EU leaders telling Britain an extension to Article 50 won’t automatically be granted following the vote in the Commons on Thursday.
The UK’s prolonged stay in the EU will have to be agreed unanimously by all the 27 remaining members of the bloc.
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