EU ambassadors have agreed that a Brexit extension is needed, with a diplomat saying they will decide on its length next week.

Ambassadors agree the Article 50 deadline should be delayed but Brussels won’t review the length of the extension now. 

It comes after Boris Johnson said he would demand MPs back a snap general election on December 12 with a motion set to go before parliament on Monday.  

The European Commission’s chief spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told a Brussels press briefing: “We are following all the events in London this week and in the coming days very closely.

“In that context, following the request to extend Article 50 and the consultations of president Tusk on the matter, the EU 27 ambassadors just finished their meeting and indeed in attendance of the Commission’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

“What I can tell you is that the EU 27 have agreed to the principle of an extension and work will now continue in the coming days.“The intention is to take this decision by a written procedure.”

The prime minister was forced to request a delay by MPs who passed the Benn Act.

Labour will now come under pressure to back an election, but it has suggested it will not unless a no-deal Brexit is explicitly ruled out, possibly through legislation.