are the guardian columnist, dawn foster, and deputy political editor of the daily telegraph, steven swinfordhas warned that britain may need to delay its departure from the eu if a deal is not agreed until late march. jeremy hunt said extra time may be needed to pass the necessary laws. the government has insisted all steps are being taken to avoid any delay. here's our deputy political editor john pienaar with the latest. something, anything to brighten the brexit blues in downing street. chinese new year celebrations, a week early. fortune cookies. what's in theresa may's, a last—minute delay to brexit? maybe. even if there's a deal to celebrate at number 10. if we ended up approving a deal in the days before 29th march, we might need some extra time to pass critical legislation. but if we can make progress sooner, that might not be necessary. passing laws, shuttling legislation between mps and peers in parliament, takes time. a late deal would need time to turn it into law. no deal could mean a rush to pass legislation on immigration, health, fisheries and more, ready for life after brexi