Britain may have to STAY in the EU until 2022

Brexit may not be fully completed until 2022, European politicians have warned Britain.

It is likely that the European Court Of Justice will have full jurisdiction over Britain's divorce from the European Union, something Vote Leave campaigned against last year.

Members of the European Parliament have warned the British Government there can be no 'trade-off' between defence and security cooperation and a future trade deal.

MEPs have issued a response to the Prime Minister's letter formally triggering Article 50 the Lisbon Treaty that enables countries to leave the EU should they choose to.

Brexit delayed

It is the first response from the superbloc to Theresa May's letter, which was delivered by hand to the President of the European Council Donald Tusk yesterday.

The European Parliament hopes to approve of the final deal between Britain and the EU by October 2018, but these complications could mean MEPs will not get a final say on Britain's future relationship with the superbloc until 2022.

The implications this could have on re-electing British MEPs is still unclear.

British and European officials have been discussing the contents of the letter for weeks which is why the motion was drafted before Mrs May sent off her letter.

The letter stated Britain intends to leave the EU, the Single Market and the Customs Union.

However, if Brexit is delayed until 2022, this could mean Britain may have to retain membership of the European Economic Area.

EEA membership

The European Economic Area consists of all EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein.

These countries are not EU members, but EEA membership allows them the same privileges to the Single Market as other European countries.

The motion says transitional arrangements in place for Britain's EU exit should not exceed more than three years, which could witness the UK leaving the superbloc by 2022 at the latest.

The motion also says both parties have legal obligations to secure legal continuity and certainty.

However, it also says the European Court of Justice should settle any legal disputes.

Yet transitional arrangements cannot exceed more than three years.

Mrs May has been warned by EU politicians that the superbloc has a strong self-interest in preserving the organisation's existence and the UK will fail to enjoy the same Single Market privileges it currently has.

72 per cent of the EU's current member states will need to vote on Britain's financial obligations, citizens' rights and the Irish border as part of the superbloc's Qualified Majority Voting rules.

No new trade agreements yet

The UK will not be allowed to pursue new trade agreements whilst it remains an EU member.

MEPs want to prevent a similar attempt by Cameron in the buildup to last year's referendum to reform Britain's membership conditions.

EU laws governing the environment and climate change will remain in place for the time being.

London will be prevented from having exclusive access to the Single Market and the Customs Union.