Theresa May postpones exit date decision until June

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson announced his candidancy to take over

Sir Graham Brady said he had a "very frank exchange" with Theresa May. Getty

Theresa May has pushed back a decision on her departure date until early June following an agreement with Conservative Party backbenchers. The prime minister will also give parliament another chance to vote on her Brexit withdrawal agreement in the week beginning 3 June.

The news came barely an hour after arch Eurosceptic and former foreign minister Boris Johnson confirmed he would stand as a candidate to replace Mrs May when she steps down. "Of course I'm going to go for it," the gaffe-prone MP told the BBC.

Mrs May has insisted she will leave the role as long as she finally achieves a majority in parliament over her Brexit deal having failed multiple times.

In a letter signed by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the committee that represents the views of Conservative backbenchers, a statement agreed with Mrs May said the prime minister was “determined” to secure a departure from the European Union.

It said she was “devoted” to bringing another vote in parliament on her withdrawal agreement in the week commencing 3 June

“We have agreed that she and I will meet following the 2nd reading of the bill to agree a timetable for the election of a new leader of the Conservative and Unionist party,” the letter said.

The UK's original departure date of 29 March has been pushed back a number of times as Mrs May's Brexit deal has come under fire. It is now set for 29 October.

In an effort to find a deal that could break the deadlock, the government has been forced to reach out to the opposition Labour party - a move that has attracted sharp criticism from both sides.