The government rejected a petition with more than 5.78million signatures calling for Brexit to be halted by revoking article 50.
The decision comes as MPs gear up for a series of votes on different Brexit scenarios after they took control of the EU exit process from government.
Theresa May suffered a heavy defeat after 30 members of her party defied her instructions and voted to take control of the process.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk had been behind the Revoke Article 50 petition. Taking to Twitter, he implored the British government:
Appeal to EP: You should be open to a long extension, if the UK wishes to rethink its strategy. 6 million people signed the petition, 1 million marched. They may not feel sufficiently represented by UK Parliament but they must feel represented by you. Because they are Europeans.
With just over a week until EU’s first deadline of 12 April, and no Brexit deal in sight, this latest blow has got many in the UK confused and angry with the entire Brexit process.
People who had signed the petition took to Twitter to share the email
One pro-EU pundit says the government are holding their people 'in contempt'
They're calling for an #OccupyWestminster
'Livid,' one Remainer wrote
It was a hard blow for people who voted to remain
Some are calling the powers that be the 'coalition of chaos'
Independent Group MP Chuka Umunna said revoking Article 50 should happen 'if necessary'
Others were happy the petition was rejected, arguing that it upheld democracy
And said revoking Article 50 would have caused 'civil unrest'
And many are waiting on the results of the Indicative votes set for today, which could change the shape of the country forever
You can follow The Independent's latest Brexit coverage here.
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