Reaction after PM requests Brexit extension

Asked if the EU was going to be open to an extension, its chief negotiator Michel Barnier says European Council President Donald Tusk would consider the next stage.

He says there was a "very short and normal meeting" of EU ambassadors meet this morning to take the next steps to ratify the withdrawal agreement.

"Tomorrow I will await the European Parliament," he tells reporters.

The fact that Boris Johnson sent multiple letters doesn’t really matter in Brussels.

The fact the EU has been asked for a delay means it has been asked for a delay.

At the moment, lots of EU leaders are saying "we don’t think we need a delay" but that is a tactic to apply maximum pressure at Westminster to get a deal through.

If nothing changes by next weekend, though, they will have to consider it.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says he's confident the UK will leave the EU at the end of October.

Boris Johnson made it crystal clear on Saturday: he did not want to write to EU leaders requesting another Brexit extension.

They were crystal clear in telephone calls with him that day that they were far from thrilled to be asked. But UK law demanded the letter be sent.

And there is likely to be divisions within the EU about what to do next.

Read more from Katya here.

Here's a quick recap following the Sunday morning politics programmes:

Michael Gove insists the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, despite the PM sending a letter to the EU requesting a Brexit delay.

John McDonnell says the PM could be in contempt of Parliament by sending the EU two contradictory letters - while Keir Starmer confirmed Labour will back any amendment next week supporting a confirmatory referendum.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says Boris Johnson has "proved the doubters wrong" and that Labour's referendum pledge is "astonishing" and represents a breach of faith with voters.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage says the so-called "super Saturday" was a "flop" and suggested his party could form an electoral pact with the Tories if the party hardens its Brexit stance.

Sir Oliver Letwin, meanwhile, says he is "absolutely behind the government now" and will now back the PM's deal as amended.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The public is "sick and tired" of MPs going around in circles over Brexit, says MP Stephen Crabb.

European newspapers are taking stock of Saturday's drama in Westminster and Boris Johnson’s appeal to Brussels to block an extension to the Brexit deadline.

“The fight over Brexit will continue for even longer,” declares Germany’s Die Zeit.

Italy’s Corriere della Sera believes: “This unprecedented ‘game of two letters’ seriously embarrasses the EU."

NRC Handelsblad in the Netherlands says: “Saturday cannot be viewed as a failure for Johnson."

And Dutch De Volkskrant agrees, saying the amendment vote "could prove to be a pyrrhic victory".

In France, Le Figaro says: “British MPs have added an incredible episode to the already lengthy Brexit series. By deciding not to decide anything”.

Spain’s El Mundo, meanwhile, sees Saturday's vote as a “blow of enormous scale” to Mr Johnson.

Asked by Sky's Sophy Ridge if he would bet money on the UK leaving the EU by 31 October, Michael Gove replies: "Yes, I have."

How much? "That's between me and the health secretary," Mr Gove replies.

Does that mean, as some commentators have suggested, that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has bet against Brexit happening by Halloween?

Mr Raab says the EU is "fed up" with Brexit though he stops short of predicting that its members will deny the UK a delay to Brexit.

"People at home will be thinking 'you've got a deal'," he says, adding that the public may not understand why there is still uncertainty.

He adds: "The only question is 'why aren't we getting on with it?'"

Mr Raab says that Boris Johnson's new Brexit deal is "very strong" and includes a democratic "lock" that was missing in Theresa May's previous agreement.

Michael Gove tells Sky News' Sophy Ridge that he believes the government has the numbers to get Boris Johnson's deal through.

Parliament can get the legislation through by 31 October, he adds.

And if Parliament approves the legislation, the letter requesting the delay is withdrawn, Mr Gove said.

Michael Gove, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, tells Sky News that the "most important thing that all of us can do now is focus on getting the legislation through".

"As a result of yesterday's vote, the risk of leaving without a deal has grown," he says.

"Now, as a result of that vote, we can't guarantee that any extension will be granted."

Mr Gove says he will later today be chairing a cabinet committee meeting to ensure the government's preparations for a no-deal Brexit are "accelerated".

"We're triggering Operation Yellowhammer to ensure if no extension is granted, that we have done everything possible to leave without a deal," he says.