BREXIT FEBRUARY 27, 2019 / 1:19 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Theresa May gains two weeks' Brexit reprieve from British MPs

Kylie MacLellan, William James, Elizabeth Piper
5 MIN READ

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May won a two week reprieve on Wednesday from British MPs, who postponed a threatened rebellion aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit after she agreed to a possible delay to Britain’s departure from the EU.

But the opposition Labour Party announced it would now support a new public vote on Brexit, the first time since Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU that one of its main parties has backed giving voters a chance to change their minds.

After months of saying that Britain must leave the EU on time on March 29, May opened up the possibility on Tuesday of a short limited extension to the exit date.

That was enough to avert a showdown in parliament on Wednesday with MPs — including ministers in her own government who had said they were prepared to join a rebellion this week to avert an exit with no agreement.

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