Brexit: Read Britain's full European Union departure letter

The letter to the European Union signaling Britain's intent to leave the EU has been published.

In the letter, signed by Theresa May and delivered to European Council leader Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister stated the UK was "leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe".

She wrote: "The United Kingdom wants to agree with the European Union a deep and special partnership that takes in both economic and security cooperation. To achieve this, we believe it is necessary to agree the terms of our future partnership alongside those of our withdrawal from the EU."

Mrs May said in the letter that in the case that no deal is reached and Britain leaves without a deal, "both sides would of course cope with the change", but added: "It is not the outcome that either side should seek. We must therefore work hard to avoid that outcome."

Read Mrs May's letter to Mr Tusk in full below: