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Technical Difficulties Might Delay U.K.’s Brexit | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London – Seven weeks after Britons voted for Brexit, mystery still surrounds the legal procedures especially that the current government have not done any step towards activating Article 50.

In addition, legal debate regarding the parliament’s vote on Article 50 with recent conflicting statements of the state and business officials addressing the possibility of changing the timetable of Brexit procedures.

Sunday Times reported that Britain’s exit from the European Union could be delayed at least until late 2019 because the government was too “chaotic” to start the two-year process early next year.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said that she is planning to activate Article 50 in 2017 to start the two-year negotiation process. But Sunday Times said that British government ministers have warned senior figures in the City of London, London’s financial district, that Article 50 could be triggered early in 2017 and thus delaying the final Brexit to 2019.

“Ministers are now thinking the trigger could be delayed until autumn 2017,” a source told the newspaper.

The source pointed out that: “They don’t have the infrastructure for the people they need to hire. They say they don’t even know the right questions to ask when they finally begin bargaining with Europe.”

Meanwhile, a U.K.’s minister, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that elections in France and Germany could also push back the timing of Brexit.

Regarding that, 10 Downing Street spokeswoman said that the PM is currently in Switzerland on her vacation.

“The Prime Minister has been clear that a top priority for this government is to deliver the decision of the British people to leave the EU and make a success of Brexit,” she added

Following the referendum on June 23, May formed a government to overlook the Brexit procedure following the former PM David Cameron. A new ministry has been formed under the name of Brexit Ministry with David Davis as minister.

Davis only hired half the staff he needs for the procedures which is estimated of 250 employees.

Sunday Telegraph revealed on Sunday there are feuds within May’s government between Minister of Foreign Affairs Boris Johnson and Minister of Trade Liam Fox.

The newspaper revealed an official letter sent from Fox in which he demands the Foreign Office be broken up.

Fox suggested that British trade with other countries would not “flourish” if responsibility for future policy remained with the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Minister firmly rejected Fox’s demands.