Former British prime minister Sir John Major says Theresa May must drop her Brexit "red lines" or allow Parliament to find a way forward to avoid a damaging no-deal departure from the European Union in March.

Key points: Sir John told the BBC that Parliament might still be able to reach a breakthrough

Sir John told the BBC that Parliament might still be able to reach a breakthrough He added that a second referendum must be on the cards if it can't

He added that a second referendum must be on the cards if it can't German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she wants the best relationship despite tensions



The former PM said he compromised on key decisions on the Northern Irish peace process and the first Gulf War while prime minister between 1990 and 1997, and Mrs May should do the same after her Brexit plan was rejected by a huge majority in Parliament.

"Her deal is dead and I don't think honestly that tinkering with it is going to make very much difference if any difference at all," said Sir John — who campaigned to stay in the EU ahead of the 2016 referendum — in an interview with BBC Radio.

Mrs May is due to tell Parliament on Monday how she intends to proceed on Brexit.

MPs may then propose alternatives to see if any could command majority support.

"If we leave in chaos and without a deal, that seems to me to be the worst of all outcomes," Sir John said.

Instead of a no-deal outcome, Sir John recommended that the Prime Minister should side-step intransigent MPs and drop her opposition to key issues in the negotiations.

Mrs May has ruled out staying in the EU's single market, an option that is considered less economically damaging, because Britain would not be able to control immigration from the bloc. She has also rejected staying in a customs union with the EU.

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Sir John said if Mrs May cannot compromise, she should allow Parliament to find a way to overcome its splits.

"I think there are signs Parliament might be able to reach consensus," he said.

Failing that, Britain should have a fresh referendum on its membership of the EU.

In the meantime, delaying Brexit was wise, Sir John said.

Conservative MP Suella Braverman labelled Sir John's intervention as "remainer elite views", adding that "Brexit would become meaningless" in an interview with the BBC.

'I will work towards having the best relationship': Merkel

Despite tensions on either side of the channel, Merkel wants the 'best relationship' between the EU and UK. ( Reuters: Stefanie Loos )

In contrast to the ructions happening within Westminster and across the UK, German Chancellor Angela Merkel struck a conciliatory tone on Brexit at a conservative party event in the northern German city of Rostock.

"I will work until the very last day to get a solution with a deal for Britain's exit from the EU and I will work towards having the best relationship," Chancellor Merkel said.

Ms Merkel said Germany respected Britain's decision to leave, but added:

"We have a responsibility to shape a divorce process so that people don't shake their heads at us in 50 years' time and say why weren't they in a position to make a compromise?"

She said even after Brexit, Britain should be an important partner.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz echoed Ms Merkel's comments, telling Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper that "a hard, disorderly Brexit would harm us all".

He also suggested that an extension to Brexit negotiations would be on the cards "if London presents an orderly strategy and plan, a postponement of the exit date by a couple of months is conceivable".

Labour wants Parliament to take control over negotiations

Sorry, this video has expired Jeremy Corbyn responds to PM

Britain's Labour Party is calling for an "open and frank debate" on the Government's stalled Brexit plan and an increased role for Parliament — but still won't meet with Prime Minister Theresa May for talks.

The main opposition party's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer says it is now up to Parliament to take the tough decisions needed to break the impasse.

Mrs May's withdrawal plan from the European Union was soundly rejected in Parliament this week, leading to crisis talks before her return to the House of Commons Monday with amended plans.

As things stand now, Britain is scheduled to leave the EU bloc on March 29 without an agreed upon withdrawal plan.

Many economists and national leaders warn this "no-deal" scenario could have serious economic consequences.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn refuses to take part in the talks Mrs May has requested until the Prime Minister removes the possibility of a "no-deal" departure from the table. She says there is no legal way for her to do so.

Mr Corbyn said in a Friday night letter to Mrs May that the talks are just a delaying tactic and complained that she is unwilling to consider extending the deadline for Britain's withdrawal or allowing a second referendum on the Brexit question.

"Whatever one thinks of those issues, that reinforces the view these are not genuine talks, but designed to play for time and give the appearance of reaching out, while sticking rigidly to your own emphatically rejected deal," he said.

ABC/wires