ap_may.jpg European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The prime minister was seeking revisions, guarantees or other changes to persuade reluctant British legislators to back her withdrawal agreement with the EU, which they resoundingly rejected in January. Lidington said the new guarantee "provides confirmation that the EU cannot try to trap the UK in the backstop indefinitely." EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier kissed her hand before they went inside for talks. That, in turn, would make such options as a new Brexit referendum or a "softer" withdrawal from the EU lot more likely, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 11, 2019 21:45 UTC