Article 50 as it happened: Merkel scuppers May's Brexit strategy within hours of Article 50 being triggered
Follow all the latest updates from Westminster here
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog. Theresa May has formally triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and started the countdown on Britain’s two-year exit from the European Union.
Here are the latest updates:
- Merkel derails May's Brexit plan
- Donald Tusk to UK: 'We miss you already'
- Read Theresa May's full Article 50 letter to the EU
- Article 50 triggered
- Read Theresa May's full Brexit statement to the Commons
- Leaked EU response to Britain's Article 50 letter
- What will happen to the economy?
- Latest updates on the pound
Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog as Theresa May prepares to formally trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and start the countdown on Britain’s two-year exit from the European Union.
Just after 4.30pm on Tuesday, Ms May signed the historic 6-page document in the Cabinet room of Downing Street below the portrait of Sir Robert Walpole – the first Prime Minister. Later today she will deliver a statement in the Commons on the Government’s negotiating strategy as well as facing Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, during the weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).
Around the same time, Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s representative to the EU, will deliver the Prime Minister’s Article 50 letter to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, who will then make a brief statement.
The Prime Minister is expected to emphasise her “fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country” and call for people to unite after the divisive and bitter referendum campaign last year.
As she prepares to invoke Article 50 and begin an arduous two-year negation to sever ties with Brussels, she added: “When I sit around the negotiating table in the months ahead, I will represent every person in the whole United Kingdom – young and old, rich and poor, city, town, country and all the villages and hamlets in between,”
“And yes, those EU nationals who have made this country their home. It is my fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country.”
She said her guiding principles would be ensuring the UK was stronger and fairer than it is today.
Ms May was asked about the potential of a one off, multibillion pound exit fee.
She said one of the reasons people voted to leave was to "ensure we're not paying significant sums of money on an annual basis" into the EU.
Pressed on whether the UK would pay an exit fee, she said "we will meet obligations that we have."
Until we leave, we will be continuing to pay, she added.
She said we are "not talking about paying to leave" but said "we are not in the negotiations yet".
The Prime Minister said she wants to get an early agreement about UK citizens living abroad.
Asked if both can be reassured, Ms May said she wanted a reciprocal agreement.
She said she didn't want to put a date on the negotiations, but wants it to take place early.
Asked why she thinks Brexit means the UK can no longer be a member of the single market, she said she has accepted the UK can't have access to the single market because it would mean accepting parts of the "four freedoms" voters have rejected — the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people.
Asked about the UK's membership of Europol, Ms May said "that's one of the things we will have to negotiate."
She said she thinks security cooperation is important for the UK.
Ms May said she would "like to maintain a degree of cooperation on these matters" but said it will be a part of negotiations.
She said the UK wouldn't be able to access information if the deal lapses.
The Prime Minister said free access to healthcare for European citizens will be a matter for negotiation.
Ms May said we are in a different negotiating position because "we've been part of the EU".
Ms May said freedom of movement may not end by the time Brexit talks have been wrapped up, and may stretch into a transition phase.
Asked about checks on the Irish border as the UK leaves the customs union, Ms May said the Government is clear it does not "want to see a return to the borders of the past."
She said she wanted to see a friction-less border.
When asked if the lions share of the Brexit dividend should go to the NHS, she said: "When we leave, we will have control of that money and will decide how we spend that money."
Pushed on whether it will be anything like the £350m promised to the NHS, she said: "That was during the referendum. There were points made passionately on both sides of the argument.
"We're now beyond the referendum and we're at the point where we are putting this into practice. What people voted for us for us to have control and that's what we'll have."
Ms May said she thinks now is not the time for a second Scottish independence referendum.
She explained this is because she thinks now is the time "when we need to pull together as a United Kingdom" to get the "best possible deal for everybody."
Ms May said the question isn't whether there could be a second referendum, but whether there should be.
"The people gave their message. Just as we're respecting the referendum that took place here... so we should all respect the 2014 Scottish referendum."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments