Just days away from a potentially calamitous no-deal Brexit, European Union leaders meet Wednesday to discuss granting the United Kingdom a new delay - possibly of up to a year - to its departure from the bloc.

It's likely to be a rough day for British Prime Minister Theresa May as she pleads for a second extension until June 30, to prevent Britain's scheduled departure from the EU this Friday.

Brexit analyst Anand Menon, the director of UK in a Changing Europe initiative, said the Prime Minister is in "really invidious situation", where she is trying to avoid a long delay but cannot deliver Brexit due to some of her own party members "playing games behind her".

He added May was heading to Brussels in a weak position, "asking for a favour from her European colleagues".

European Council President Donald Tusk has suggested an even longer delay of up to a year with conditions attached to ensure Britain does not stymie EU decision-making if it remains a member.

May will head to Brussels for a pre-summit meeting with Tusk before explaining her delay request to the leaders who will then discuss their next move.

If they don't grant an extension, Britain leaves the bloc on Friday with no deal regulating the departure.

A drastic cliff-edge exit would have huge costs to businesses and trade across the English Channel and be very cumbersome to travellers as it would likely hit airports, ports, tariff rules and standard regulations overnight.

London – 10 April 2019

1. London bus passing EU flags and sign reading (English) "Stop the Brexit mess" outside House of Parliament

2. Flags and people outside parliament

3. Row of anti-Brexit signs outside parliament

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Anand Menon, analyst and Director of UK in a Changing Europe:

"I think it's absolutely crucial to get this extension because no one wants Britain to fall out with 'no deal' on Friday. It would obviously hurt Britain very badly, but it will hurt a lot of other member states who trade closely with us as well. So I think there is a pressure on all sides, particularly on the British government. It is absolutely true, Mrs (Theresa) May has gone there (Brussels) as a demander asking for a favour from her European colleagues. I suspect they'll give her it, but then that leaves the problem still unresolved: what is Britain going to decide to do."

5. EU flags and sign reading (English) "Stop the Brexit mess"

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Anand Menon, analyst and Director of UK in a Changing Europe:

"Mrs May is in a really invidious situation. She doesn't want a long delay, she still wants the withdrawal agreement to go through so we could leave in May. The problem she has is that a lot of people in her own party are saying 'I will reject a long delay, the Prime Minister should go if we get a long delay' without actually suggesting any practical alternative. So there's a lot of people playing games behind her, posturing, not least because they want to replace her as prime minister, and it makes her position really difficult."

7. Headline of The Times newspaper reading (English) "Don't humiliate May, Tusk warns Macron" ++MUTE++

8. Headline of Daily Mail newspaper reading (English) "Another year in limbo" ++MUTE++

9. Headline of The Daily Telegraph newspaper reading "May's fate sealed with a kiss as EU plots long Brexit delay" ++MUTE++

10. Street outside parliament

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Elsbeth Williams, 52, from North Wales, now living in Spain:

"I think she'll definitely get an extension because nobody apart from the absolute disaster capitalists - and there's plenty of those in the ERG (European Research Group) - want to crash out. Business certainly doesn't."

12. Row of anti-Brexit signs outside parliament

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Rob Iddeson, 47, from London:

"It's democracy in process so I'm not angry, I'm disappointed because although I voted to remain the decision was made. It was a democratic decision and from my perspective we should honour that and go forward. So, yeah, not angry but disappointed that it has taken so long."

14. Street outside parliament

15. Exterior of the Palace of Westminster

Britain's Foreign Secretary stressed on Thursday that the UK must be prepared for "every possible eventuality" in the Brexit talks, including walking away without any deals.

At a joint news conference with his Mexican counterpart in London, Boris Johnson said that UK must be prepared to walk away from the negotiations, if necessary.

Luis Videgaray, Mexico's Foreign Minister, referred that the two countries are at similar junctures as Mexico is also in the middle of talks to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

"If for whatever reason, NAFTA is not going to continue, it's not the end of the world. Mexico is stronger and bigger than NAFTA," Videgaray said, adding "the UK is a lot stronger and bigger than Brexit. And no matter what happens, if it's a soft Brexit or a hard Brexit, or whatever you guys want to do, the UK is going to be just fine," Videgaray said.

POOL

London - 19 October 2017

1. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray walking into room, UPSOUND (English) Boris Johnson "Good afternoon, everybody"

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"(I would like to ) renew the condolences of the British people to the people of Mexico following the tragic earthquakes that you experienced in September. And I'm told by our ambassador Duncan Taylor that the people of Mexico really pulled together during that tragic episode with the Blitz spirit from those all who survived. And our thoughts certainly those who have suffered."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Luis Videgaray, Mexico's Foreign Minister:

"We are, in a way, at similar junctures. Mexico is undergoing a significant renegotiation of our main trade agreement, which is the North American Free Trade agreement. And we're working (inaudible) and we want to do a good deal, for both, for Canada, for the US and of course, for Mexico. But we have to prepare for what's next. And we acknowledge that, if for whatever reason, NAFTA is not going to continue, it's not the end of the world. Mexico is stronger and bigger than NAFTA. And we're going to move on. And here in London, as you say, that the UK is a lot stronger and bigger than Brexit. And no matter what happens, if it's a soft Brexit or a hard Brexit, or whatever you guys want to do, the UK is going to be just fine."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

(Reporter: "And you are the leader of Leave, effectively- leave means leave. And getting back at WTA rules, making clear now that actually no deal would be better than a bad deal?)

"Well, we are saying to our friends and partners that now's the time to get on and do a great deal. And it's there to be done. We've set out a good offer on citizenship, on money, all the things Prime Minister (Theresa May) is talking about today. Maybe we won't get the breakthrough today, but we hope very much so. In the next few weeks and months to get this thing moving and get a great deal, but obviously you have to prepare for every eventuality. And what I find so encouraging to hear from Luis Videgaray, who makes the point that actually, it's his view that Mexico can cope and the UK can cope. And we certainly will - more than cope."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

++STARTS ON WIDE++

"Well, there's little to add to that, obviously, I think that we will get a deal, and I think it would be a great deal and a great Brexit. But in any negotiation, you've got to be prepared to walk away and we are going to be prepared to do that. And as Luis said, I think we will do fine, but we will also be able to develop our relationship with Mexico, and that's very exciting as well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"(We are) prepared for every possible eventuality. Thank you."

++ENDS ON NEWS CONFERENCE++

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence strolled into the Brexit fury as he met with embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Wrapping up a week in Europe, Pence thanked Johnson for the welcome "at a very busy time here in the United Kingdom."

Johnson downplayed the Brexit drama, saying it's "always busy."

Pence delivered greetings from President Donald Trump and said Trump has asked him to assure Johnson that the U.S. "supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union" and "is ready, willing and able to immediately negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK"

Johnson replied that was "fantastic."

He expressed hope for the removal of trade barriers on British products including lamb, beef and haggis, a Scottish delicacy made with the stomachs of sheep.

Johnson has been pushing for an early election as a way to break Britain's Brexit impasse, as lawmakers try to stop the UK from leaving the European Union next month without an exit deal in place.

AGENCY POOL

London - 5 September 2019

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

1. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence walking into room UPSOUND (English) Johnson: "Vice President, have a seat. Thank you so much. Well it's fantastic to welcome you to No. 10 Mr Vice President, great to have you here. I had an absolutely wonderful time at the G7 and with President Trump talking about all the things that we were trying to do together, free trade, all that. And hope very much to take that forward today in our discussions.

Pence: Well Mr Prime Minister thank you for such a warm welcome.

Johnson: Absolutely, great to see you again.

Pence: I know it's a very busy time here in the United Kingdom.

Johnson: Always busy.

Pence: I'm grateful for your hospitality. I spoke to President Trump this morning, your friend and he asked me to send you his very best greetings and to assure you that the United States supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, but he also wanted me to convey that the United States is ready, willing and able to immediately negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK.

Johnson: Fantastic.

Pence: The President often says that the United States has the biggest economy in the world and we truly believe that a free trade agreement between the United States and the UK could increase trade between our countries by three or four times. We're anxious to do that. We're anxious to stand with you and to do everything in our power to strengthen what has been a historic and special relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. And it is embodied in the very warm and personal relationship that you have forged with President Trump, with myself and with our administration and I'm truly honoured to be here.

Johnson: Fantastic to have you here and we will drive that free trade agreement forward of course. The U.S. economy is a, is a wonderful, massive opportunity for the UK farmers but it is still the case that you know, the United States of America, the people of the United States of America do not eat any British lamb or beef or haggis from Scotland. I think there are still barriers to trade in shower trays, would you believe it, from the UK. So, and many other products where we think we could free up the U.S. market. I know that you guys are pretty tough negotiators. So. So we're going to work very hard to make sure that that free trade deal is one that works for all sides.

Pence: Well he (Trump) told me this morning, he said, he said, you tell my friend Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that we're ready to go to work on that free trade agreement, just as soon as you're ready. And again to make it clear to you that the United States supports the UK's decision to leave the EU and we're ready to build this economic relationship immediately.

Johnson: Fantastic and of course we won't be, ah, and we will be, make sure that we do everything to increase free trade but the National Health Service, is always worth saying for the benefit of the UK media here, the National Health Service is not on the table as far as negotiations go. And nor, we're not too keen on that chlorinated chicken either. We have a, we have a gigantic chlorinated chicken of our own here on the opposition benches. Anyway, I'm being asked to shut up. Thank you all very much for coming along today.

Pence: Thank you.

Johnson: Thank you."

++ENDS ON UPSOUND++

Thousands of protesters greeted President Donald Trump's UK visit with anger and British irony Tuesday, crowding London's government district while the US leader met Prime Minister Theresa May nearby.

Feminists, environmentalists, peace activists, trade unionists and others demonstrated against the lavish royal welcome being given to a president they see as a danger to the world.  

"Basically if you object to Trump you should also object to Brexit," said protester Tim Brassey, carrying a sign showing Trump embracing UK Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage with the words: "I love you more than chlorinated Chicken."

"We have to decide - do we want to be a part of Europe, with higher food standards and more equality or part of the colony of the USA," said Brassey.

Trump said Britain and the US would be able to strike a "phenomenal trade deal" once the U.K. had left the EU - music to the ears of pro-Brexit Britons.

But, in words sure to alarm those in Britain concerned about Brexit, he said that "everything"- including the National Health Service - would be "on the table" in future trade negotiations.

Most Britons are protective of the state-run NHS, which delivers free health care to all, and many worry private US health care firms could try to gain access to chunks of it as a condition of a trade deal

The day of protests began with the flying of a giant blimp depicting the president as an angry orange baby, which rose from the grass of central London's Parliament Square.

One group came dressed in the red cloaks and bonnets of characters from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," which is set in a dystopian, misogynist future America.

Demonstrators filled Trafalgar Square and spilled down Whitehall, a street lined with imposing government offices, before marching half a mile to Parliament.

Police erected barricades to stop protesters marching past the gates of Downing St., though the shouts and chants could be heard as Trump met May for talks inside the prime minister's official residence.

London - 4 June 2019

1. Women dressed up as actors from "The Handmaid's Tale"

2. Close up of sign reading (English) "The Handmaid's Tale is not an instruction manual"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Branch, protester:

"Just that every day - it's supposed to be fiction, it was written 20 years ago, it's supposed to be a fiction book and every day it feels closer to our reality because of (US President Donald) Trump and the way he's peeling back the rights of women and our rights to choose what we want to do with our own bodies."

4. Banner reading (English) "Trump o Calypse No"

5. Various of man holding banner showing Trump as the strong man next to a weak Britain

6. American flag with "American Fascists" written on it

7. Banner with Trump embracing Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Brexit party, with the words reading (English): "I love you more than chlorinated Chicken", pull out to wide shot of protester Tim Brassey

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Brassey, protester:

"Basically if you object to Trump you should also object to Brexit, the motivations behind Brexit for Trump, particularly, is basically getting his hands on the NHS for private health care companies in the US, and to lower food standards so we end up with chlorinated chicken and lower food standards. So we have to decide - do we want to be a part of Europe, with higher food standards and more equality or part of the colony of the USA."

9. Woman holding banner reading "Get your hands off our NHS, Mr. Trump"

10. Various of silent protest of the environmental group the Red Rebel Brigade

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Doug Francisco, from environmental group Red Rebel Brigade:

"We believe in the power of performance protest so we're here to call attention to the critical state of the environment and these costumes represent the blood of all species, the common blood that we all share with all living things."

(Reporter: And why are you here?)

"We're here today to draw attention to the climate, and protest for the environment and because Donald Trump is such an anti-environmental president."

12. Various of woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty with sign saying "No Iran War."

13. Sign reading (English) "No more Tea for Trump but he's welcome to a milkshake"

14. Various of badges on display on "The roving anti-Trump bandwagon"

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence strolled into the Brexit fury as he met with embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Wrapping up a week in Europe, Pence thanked Johnson for the welcome "at a very busy time here in the United Kingdom."

Johnson downplayed the Brexit drama, saying it's "always busy."

Pence delivered greetings from President Donald Trump and said Trump has asked him to assure Johnson that the U.S. "supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union" and "is ready, willing and able to immediately negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK"

Johnson replied that was "fantastic."

He expressed hope for the removal of trade barriers on British products including lamb, beef and haggis, a Scottish delicacy made with the stomachs of sheep.

Johnson has been pushing for an early election as a way to break Britain's Brexit impasse, as lawmakers try to stop the UK from leaving the European Union next month without an exit deal in place.

AGENCY POOL

London - 5 September 2019

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

1. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence walking into room UPSOUND (English) Johnson: Vice President, have a seat. Thank you so much. Well it's fantastic to welcome you to No. 10 Mr Vice President, great to have you here. I had an absolutely wonderful time at the G7 and with President Trump talking about all the things that we were trying to do together, free trade, all that. And hope very much to take that forward today in our discussions.

Pence: Well Mr Prime Minister thank you for such a warm welcome.

Johnson: Absolutely, great to see you again.

Pence: I know it's a very busy time here in the United Kingdom.

Johnson: Always busy.

Pence: I'm grateful for your hospitality. I spoke to President Trump this morning, your friend and he asked me to send you his very best greetings and to assure you that the United States supports the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, but he also wanted me to convey that the United States is ready, willing and able to immediately negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK.

Johnson: Fantastic.

Pence: The President often says that the United States has the biggest economy in the world and we truly believe that a free trade agreement between the United States and the UK could increase trade between our countries by three or four times. We're anxious to do that. We're anxious to stand with you and to do everything in our power to strengthen what has been a historic and special relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. And it is embodied in the very warm and personal relationship that you have forged with President Trump, with myself and with our administration and I'm truly honoured to be here.

Johnson: Fantastic to have you here and we will drive that free trade agreement forward of course. The U.S. economy is a, is a wonderful, massive opportunity for the UK farmers but it is still the case that you know, the United States of America, the people of the United States of America do not eat any British lamb or beef or haggis from Scotland. I think there are still barriers to trade in shower trays, would you believe it, from the UK. So, and many other products where we think we could free up the U.S. market. I know that you guys are pretty tough negotiators. So. So we're going to work very hard to make sure that that free trade deal is one that works for all sides.

Pence: Well he (Trump) told me this morning, he said, he said, you tell my friend Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that we're ready to go to work on that free trade agreement, just as soon as you're ready. And again to make it clear to you that the United States supports the UK's decision to leave the EU and we're ready to build this economic relationship immediately.

Johnson: Fantastic and of course we won't be, ah, and we will be, make sure that we do everything to increase free trade but the National Health Service, is always worth saying for the benefit of the UK media here, the National Health Service is not on the table as far as negotiations go. And nor, we're not too keen on that chlorinated chicken either. We have a, we have a gigantic chlorinated chicken of our own here on the opposition benches. Anyway, I'm being asked to shut up. Thank you all very much for coming along today.

Pence: Thank you.

Johnson: Thank you."

++ENDS ON UPSOUND++

The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives warned on Monday that a post-Brexit trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom won't happen if there's any weakening of the Good Friday Agreement.

Nancy Pelosi said that in such an event there'd be "no chance whatsoever" of a trade accord.

The Good Friday Agreement could not be "bargained away in another agreement", she told an audience at the London School of Economics.

Ms Pelosi revealed that in extensive talks with UK politicians, including Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, "every single person... said 'don't worry about that, we would not even go there'."

There have been concerns that the Good Friday Agreement, which sought to bring peace after years of troubles on the island of Ireland, could be in jeopardy as politicans seek to end the Brexit deadlock.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been a major sticking point, with the British government keen to withdraw the UK from the EU customs union whilst avoiding a return to border checkpoints.

London - 15 April 2019

1. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Professor Peter Trunowitz, Head of International Relations at the London School of Economics, walking on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:

"First of all let me say it is very hard to pass a trade bill in the Congress of the United States, so it's no given anyway. But if there were to be any weakening of the Good Friday accords, there would be no chance whatsoever, a non-starter for a US-UK trade agreement. Now let me just say this, the Good Friday accords ended 700 years of conflict. It's not just about that geography though. This is not a treaty only, it's an ideal, it's a value, it's something that is a model to the world, something that we all take pride in, that the US, President Clinton, Senator George Mitchell and others were involved in for a long period of time. And of course it was the UK, the Northern Ireland people as well as the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) in Ireland who all participated. It was hard. But it was a model and other people have used it as a model, and we don't want that model to be something that can be bargained away in some other agreement."

3. Pelosi on stage with Trunowitz

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Make no mistake. We've met with the (UK parliamentary) Speaker, we learned how to say... (gets audience to say "Order!" in reference to UK House of Commons speaker John Bercow). We met with the leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn and we met with those who left the Labour Party and we made it clear to all that if there is any harm to the Good Friday accords - no trade treaty. That was yesterday. Today we met with the Government, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and deputy prime minister, (David) Lidington and those who are in opposition in the Conservative Party to the government, and to all of them we made it clear: don't even think about that."

5. Pelosi and Trunowitz talking on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Every single person, including Theresa May, who I spoke to over the phone, everyone had said 'don't even worry about that, it's unthinkable, we wouldn't even go here', and I said' that's good news because that's a place we cannot go'."

7. Audience applaud Pelosi, who walks off stage with Trunowitz

Britain will seek to remain in a customs union with the European Union for a time to avoid border chaos after leaving the bloc, the government's Brexit Minister said on Tuesday.

David Davis, the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, said there could be an interim period "a bit like the customs union now but it will not be the customs union" to help businesses make the transition to life outside the EU.

Davis said the transition period would likely last about two years.

Some British businesses have accused the government of being vague about whether there will be economic barriers with the EU after Brexit in March 2019.

The persistent uncertainty - 14 months after Britain voted to leave the EU - is weighing on the economy.

Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Treasury chief Philip Hammond wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that in 2019 Britain will leave both the EU's single market in goods and services and its customs union.

The single market ensures tariff-less trade in goods and services and is linked closely by the EU with other rights, such as the right of EU citizens to cross borders.

The customs union allows goods to move within the EU without checks, but also imposes tariffs on imports from outside the EU.

That would prevent Britain striking new free trade deals while it remains inside the arrangement.

The British proposal says the UK should be free to negotiate new trade relationships during the transition period, something EU officials are likely to find problematic.

EU officials say Britain's stated goal of "frictionless" trade is impossible outside the single market and customs union.

The British government is trying to rebuff claims by EU officials that it is has been under-prepared for divorce negotiations before a new round of talks in Brussels at the end of this month.

The customs proposals are the first in a series of papers covering thorny issues in the negotiations.

Another, on the status of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, is due to be published this week.

The EU says negotiations on its future relations with Britain can't start until sufficient progress has been made on three initial issues: how much money the UK will have to pay to settle its outstanding commitments to the bloc; whether security checks and customs duties will be instituted on the Irish border; and the status of 3 million EU nationals living in Britain.

POOL

London - 15 August 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) David Davis, UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union:

"The first thing to understand is what this is about. This is about setting out our stall for the forward position, the ongoing position in relationship to Europe. And there are two bits of that. One is, the ongoing easy customs arrangements - customs arrangements that allow the sale of goods into European Union but also from them to us without restriction. The interim period, where we get to it because it will take a bit of time to get the structures in place, will be a bit like the customs union now but it will not be the customs union, we won't be a member of the single European Union. And we will want to go out and strike our trade deals, not bring them into effect because that would give scope for, sort of, tunneling into Europe as it were from outside, we wouldn't do that, but we see no reason why we will not be able to actually strike the deals in this interim period."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) David Davis, UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union:

"Well, the absolute maximum, it's got to be done before the next general election. It more likely, but it will depend on a number of things - how long it will actually practically require, it will be a practical question, and also a negotiating question.

(Reporter question: Can you give an earliest and latest year?)

"I would guess something like two years or less, something of that order."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) David Davis, UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union:

"It's not a question of payment, they are actually selling us 290 Billion (Euros worth of goods), we're selling them 230 Billion (Euros worth of goods) a year. It's in their interest. BMW do not want to have to have a customs border that is going to slow down their sales or add administrative costs. Siemens are not going to want to do that. The port of Rotterdam is going to want to have an efficient operation, biggest port in Europe, it's going to want to have efficient operations so they've got an interest as well as us."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++