Irish PM: EU solidarity let bloc extend Brexit

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar says some European Union leaders were against giving Britain a delay to Brexit, but agreed out of solidarity with others in the bloc.

Varadkar says EU nations that lie farther from the UK "are kind of sick of this" and were reluctant to prolong the Brexit process any further.

But Ireland and other neighbours of Britain are intent on avoiding a chaotic and economically disruptive U.K. departure. He says the doubters "came with us in the end because of European solidarity."
Varadkar told reporters the extension "gives a little breathing space" for Britain to decide among three options: "no deal, the withdrawal agreement or a much closer relationship with the EU." He says "I honestly don't know what the most likely option is."