EU Brexit negotiator says UK 'decision more important than extra time'

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday repeated a call for a decision from London on its withdrawal deal, rather than seeking to delay the exit date.

"Today, we need above all a decision, it's more important than extra time," Barnier told a news conference in Vienna, adding that the Brexit process stood at a "grave moment".

European leaders have already warned that any postponement of the two-year Article 50 process would come with conditions.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on 29 March but is currently on course to do so without a deal after British MPs overwhelmingly rejected the withdrawal agreement in January.

"The duration of any extension would be linked to the question of what to do with the time," Barnier said.

"If it's to sort out a technical question, it could be a few weeks to go up to the eve of the European elections."