Correction on Brexit extension provision

I received this email from a reader offering a correction on today's weblog where I mentioned the Brexit: Thanks for the information.

Hi Stephen, 

 You mentioned in your recent weblog that there is no legal provision for an extension in the Brexit process.  In fact there is.  It is in clause 3. of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty that governs the withdrawal.  

3.  The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.

There has been a legal challenge to this extension by the English Democrats on the grounds that it was not approved by legislation in Parliament.  However it was initially ratified by a post-dated  Statutory Instrument that passed through Parliament some days after March 29 for the extension to April 12th. and will no doubt be so dealt with again in the near future for the present extension to Article 50 that is officially until October 31st.  Or sooner if the new EU Treaty brought back from Brussels by Mrs. May is ratified by Parliament.  

 Thanks for all your work Stephen, it is much appreciated.