UK govt plans Saturday sitting of parliament on Oct. 19, Brexit deal or no deal - source

Reuters

LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Britain's government plans to hold a special sitting of parliament on Oct. 19, whether or not Prime Minister Boris Johnson secures a Brexit deal with the European Union, a government source said on Wednesday.

Parliament has passed a law to force Johnson to seek a Brexit delay if he fails to negotiate a new deal with the EU at a summit on Oct. 17-18. Johnson has said he will abide by the law but has also stood firm in his pledge to lead Britain out of the EU on Oct. 31 no matter what.

The source said it was likely that parliament would sit on Saturday, Oct. 19, either way, depending on the usual procedures to approve an extra day of sitting. If no deal has been reached, the day could be used to hold a series of votes on possible ways forward. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)