Cross-party Brexit talks abandoned until after EU summit, Downing Street confirm

The Conservatives and Labour have abandon Brexit talks until Thursday after failing to reach an agreement, just a day before Theresa May asks the EU for another delay to the UK’s withdrawal.

Leading MPs from both parties held talks for four hours on Tuesday in an attempt to find a compromise plan which could win support in the Commons.

Chancellor Philip Hammond and environment secretary Michael Gove led the talks for the government, with their opposite numbers John McDonnell and Sue Hayman among the Labour delegation.

While the talks were taking place in London, May undertook a diplomatic push in Berlin and Paris in a bid to secure another extension to the negotiating process, despite being unable to present the credible alternative Brexit plan the EU said it required to sanction such a move.

In a statement after the Conservative and Labour talks ended for the day, a Downing Street spokesman said: “We have had further productive and wide-ranging talks this afternoon, and the parties have agreed to meet again on Thursday once European Council has concluded.

“We remain completely committed to delivering on Brexit, with both sides working hard to agreeing a way forward, appreciating the urgency in order to avoid European elections.”

EU leaders will decide at a summit in Brussels on Wednesday whether to grant an extension, with May asking for a delay until 30 June.