Article 50 as it happened: Merkel scuppers May's Brexit strategy within hours of Article 50 being triggered
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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.
Accused of doing the "mother of all U-turns" after campaigning for Remain, Ms May said she believes it is now her job to "deliver the best possible future for the UK."
When asked about a second referendum, she said when we have made the deal there will be a vote in Parliament.
"I believe that's the right way to do it. But I'm confident that we're going to get a deal that is going to be good for the British people.
"The British people have basically said to us: go on and get on with it."
Asked if Labour would vote against the final deal as it comes before Parliament, Mr Corbyn said if Labour's six "tests" for a successful Brexit were not met.
Mr Corbyn said he would not support a second referendum.
"The country voted to leave. We respect the result of the referendum. And we want to speak for the entire country to hold the Government to account."
Mr Corbyn said he doesn't think Westminster should block a Scottish referendum if it was proposed, but said he is not in favour of it.
"If the referendum occurs during the Brexit negotiations it becomes a bit complicated."
The Labour leader said a second Scottish referendum should not take place until after Brexit has been negotiated.
Now being interviewed are Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron, Ukip leader Paul Nuttall and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley.
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