EUROPE would be able to "blackmail" Britain if we tried to delay Brexit, experts warned today.

Germany could demand billions of pounds with nothing in return, according to a report from the Eurosceptic group Lawyers for Britain.

2 Europe will try and take advantage of any delay to Brexit Credit: EPA

And Spain could launch a fresh power grab for Gibraltar as the price for extending the Article 50 process.

The warning comes as pro-Remain MPs gear up for a fresh attempt to keep Britain in the EU for up to another year.

The report drawn up by top lawyer Martin Howe QC pointed out that every European country would get a veto if we tried to delay Article 50, the legal mechanism which takes us out of the EU.

He wrote: "Quite apart from what the EU as a whole may have concerns about, each individual Member State may have demands of its own."

He claimed Gibraltar would be up for grabs as Spain tries to use the chaos to gain control over the UK territory.

BERLIN CASH GRAB

And Mr Howe also said Germany could demand a £39billion divorce bill from Britain as the price of a delay.

Under the current arrangements, Britain would only hand over the cash if a final Brexit deal were approved by all sides.

But German legal experts have called on the country's government to ask for an upfront payment if the UK asks to delay Article 50.

Mr Howe said: "Taking advantage of the UK’s moment of weakness when it supplicates for an Article 50 extension, and taking the chance to lock in the EU’s legal entitlement to this enhanced sum come what may, would be quite the logical thing for Germany to insist on."

MOST READ IN POLITICS LOCKED UP AGAIN New lockdown rules explained: Everything you can and can’t do now WINTER COMING England may have to ban home visits too as SAGE adviser warns lockdown coming RALLYING CRY PM says 'pull together' and warns 'your cough could be someone's death knell' Latest 'PERILOUS POINT' PM warns stricter rules likely to last 6 MONTHS ruining Xmas for millions DEAL WITH IT EU is now planning for the future on the basis of a No Deal Brexit MASKING THE ISSUE Face mask exemptions: Who doesn't have to wear one in the UK?

He concluded: "Asking for an Article 50 extension would be a terrible, terrible idea."

This week MPs will again vote on the way forward for Brexit in a Valentine's Day Commons showdown.

Labour's Yvette Cooper is expected to push an amendment forcing the Government to request an Article 50 delay if Britain is heading for a No Deal Brexit.

2 Gibraltar could be up for grabs after Brexit Credit: AP:Associated Press

Arch-Remainer Tony Blair admits plot to stop Brexit has just seven weeks to succeed or pro-EU campaign is doomed

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours