Boris Johnson to block delay in Brexit process

The UK government says it will add a new clause to the Brexit bill to make it illegal for parliament to extend the process beyond the end of next year.

The post-Brexit transition period due to conclude in December 2020 can currently be extended by mutual agreement for up to two years.

But an amended withdrawal agreement bill the commons is set to vote on this week would rule out any extension.

Critics say this raises the chance of leaving the EU without a trade deal.

But senior cabinet minister Michael Gove insisted both the UK and the EU had “committed themselves to making sure that we have a deal” by the end of 2020.