May addresses the press in Brussels after agreeing an extension to the Brexit deadline | Stéphanie Lecocq/EPA Theresa May says she blamed MPs out of ‘frustration’ Prime minister acknowledges MPs ‘have difficult jobs to do.’

Theresa May sought to limit the damage caused by her controversial Downing Street statement blaming MPs for the Brexit impasse, admitting that she had been venting "frustration."

Speaking at a midnight press conference in Brussels after agreeing an extension to the Brexit deadline with the EU27, the U.K. prime minister appeared to express a degree of contrition for the statement in which she said she shared public impatience with "political games" in Westminster.

"I know MPs on all sides of the debate have passionate views, and I respect those different positions," she said. "Last night I expressed my frustration. I know that MPs are frustrated too. They have difficult jobs to do."

A number of MPs condemned the statement, which they said risks heightening anger among parliamentarians and exacerbating a febrile political atmosphere in the U.K.

May said she would return to London on Friday to continue attempting to persuade MPs to back her deal in a vote next week.

At the summit, the EU27 rejected her suggestion of an extension until June 30 if the deal passes, instead shortening the timetable to May 22. If the deal falls — currently the more likely scenario — the U.K. will have until April 12 to present an alternative plan or leave without a deal. If the alternative plan requires a further extension, the U.K. must take part in the European Parliament election in May.

May said she still believes firmly that it would be "wrong" to make U.K. voters participate in the European election, three years after voting to leave the EU. However, she said that if her deal is rejected, the government would "need to work with the House [of Commons] to decide how we proceed."

Earlier in the day, May refused to rule out taking the U.K. out of the EU without a deal if MPs reject her agreement again. But she appeared to strike a softer tone in her late-night press conference.

"If parliament does not agree a deal next week, the EU Council will extend Article 50 until 12 April. At this point we would either leave with no deal, or put forward an alternative plan," she said.

May returns to Westminster facing opposition on all sides, with the Labour Party seeking to build a majority for an alternative Brexit plan focused on changes to the Political Declaration on the future relationship with the EU, to mandate a softer Brexit, with the U.K. remaining in a customs union and close to the single market.

The House of Commons will have the chance to hold votes on Monday on a government motion, with one plan already put forward which would allow MPs to seize control of the parliamentary timetable from the government.

Within her own ministerial ranks, May also faces the risk of revolt from one or other faction if she steers the U.K. either toward or decisively away from a no-deal Brexit. One Cabinet minister, Liz Truss, told the Sun newspaper she would far prefer no deal to a long extension, involving participation in the European election.

Meanwhile ITV reported that Conservative Chief Whip Julian Smith, the lead enforcer of May's authority within the parliamentary party, was angered by her Wednesday statement blaming MPs for the impasse.

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