EU vote registration deadline extended

Earlier in the week we reported http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/eu-vote-last-chance-1-7951262 on Tuesday night's EU vote cut-off.

That deadline for registering to vote in referendum has now been extended.

Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock confirmed the government would legislate to extend cut-off until midnight Thursday.

It follows a computer glitch that left reportedly thousands unable to sign up before the original deadline.

The Electoral Commission urged people to sign up until the end of Thursday in order to vote on 23 June.

The glitch, blamed on record demand, lasted from 10:15 until after midnight.

Users reported a page displaying the message "504 Gateway Time-out" instead of online registration form.

There had been calls from both sides of the EU debate for the deadline to be extended, although the move was criticised by some Tory MPs