Prime Minister Theresa May sparked outrage Sunday by suggesting parliament may not be able to vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just days before Britain leaves the EU.
The decision increases the chances that MPs will move next week to delay Brexit beyond March 29, to avoid a potentially disastrous situation where Britain exits with no agreement at all.
May had held out the possibility of a vote this week, but said Sunday she was still discussing with the EU possible amendments to the deal's arrangements for the Irish border.
"As we're continuing with those talks, we won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week," she told reporters as she arrived at a summit of European and Arab leaders in Egypt.
"But that will happen by March 12. And we still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29."
"Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen."
Labour MP Yvette Cooper urged lawmakers to support her cross-party proposal to delay Brexit, saying: "How are businesses, public services and families supposed to plan in this chaos?"
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content