EUROPE handed Theresa May a six-month delay to Brexit, pushing the cliff-edge back until Halloween.

News of the extension came in the early hours of this morning after heated discussions between EU leaders in Brussels.

The Prime Minister insisted the UK could still leave earlier if MPs backed her deal in the Commons.

But the new October 31 deadline almost certainly means Britain fighting next month’s European elections.

In a press conference after the European Council offered the delay, May said: “What we have agreed tonight means that we can leave the European Union before June 30.

“What we need is to ensure that we have an agreement in parliament, that we can get through the necessary legislation to enable us to leave.

“This decision enables us to do that.”

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, said there was nothing in the rule book to stop us being in exactly the same place in October, and a further extension could be negotiated: “I am too old to exclude another scenario. I think still everything is possible.”

However, he urged British MPs not to allow that to happen: “This extension is as flexible as I expected, and a little bit shorter than I expected, but it’s still enough to find the best possible solution. Please do not waste this time.”

During the talks France’s President Macron argued for a shorter extension that would have been subject to a review in June, while Germany and around a dozen others had called for it to pushed back until the end of the year.

The Brexiteers in the Prime Minister’s party were unhappy, and May will likely be given a hard time when she comes to Parliament to update MPs later today.

Veteran backbencher Peter Bone tweeted: “On the 20th March, at PMQs, I asked the PM about an extension to Article 50. She said ‘As Prime Minister, I could not consider a delay further beyond the 30th June.’

“So, if the PM intends to keep her word, can we expect her resignation later tonight?”

Downing Street officials were reportedly telling their EU counterparts that May would stay on until however long it took to get her deal through Parliament.

READ MORE: Beyond the bluster: What do hard Brexiteers actually have to offer?

The SNP’s Stephen Gethins said the lengthy delay should be used to hold a fresh EU referendum with the option to Remain on the ballot paper.

“It is welcome that we will not be crashing out on Friday but Scotland did not vote for Brexit and should not be forced to accept a Brexit deal put together by Labour and the Tories – parties that have ignored Scotland’s voice and interests every step of the way,” he said.

May set out her case for a short extension in a presentation behind closed doors lasting around one hour, during which she answered questions from the leaders of the 27 other member states.

She then left the room to allow the EU27 to discuss the UK’s future in her absence over a dinner of scallop salad, loin of cod with brown shrimps and iced macadamia nut parfait.

WATCH: Ian Blackford says Scotland 'won't be forced to accept' Tory-Labour deal

Meanwhile, Holyrood’s Presiding Officer confirmed that the delay mean there would be no need to recall the Scottish Parliament. 

In a statement, sent out just after 1am on Thursday morning, Ken Macintosh said “Following confirmation that the United Kingdom will not be leaving the EU on 12 April, I have taken the decision that Parliament will not be recalled.

“Members have been made aware and Parliament is scheduled to meet again on 23 April 2019.”