Brexit extension completely ruled out by Downing Street

The United Kingdom officially left the EU at the end of January but had agreed to a transition period lasting until December 31, 2020.

The UK economy has been significantly damaged by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Millions of people have lost their jobs as a direct result of the social distancing measures introduced to battle the virus.

Some high profile Brexiters admitted the transition period should be extended to allow the UK to address the period of disruption caused by the Coronavirus.

However, when questioned on the possibility of an extension, an official spokesperson for the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, completely ruled it out.

“We will not ask to extend the transition period and if the EU asks we will say ‘no’,” the spokesperson said.

“Extending the transition would simply prolong the negotiations, prolong business uncertainty, and delay the moment of control of our borders.

“It would also keep us bound by EU legislation at a point when we need legislative and economic flexibility to manage the UK response to the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Boris Johnson is continuing to recover in his countryside retreat, Chequers, after he was hospitalised with COVID-19 earlier this month.

The deadline for a possible extension to the transition period is June 30, 2020.