Advertisement

  1. National

May: Article 50 to be triggered before end of March next year

Theresa May has said the formal withdrawal process for Britain leaving the European Union will be invoked by the end of March 2017.

Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, the prime minister also confirmed plans for a "Great Repeal Bill" to overturn legislation that took Britain into the EU.

However Mrs May came under attack from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after she said there is "no opt out from Brexit" and we will "never allow divisive nationalists to undermine the precious union between the four nations of our United Kingdom".

Mrs May also said she will not accept any limits on Britain's ability to control immigration in negotiations to leave the EU.

View all 12 updates ›

May tells Tory conference: EU exit talks to start by March

Theresa May has vowed "to get on with the job" of kick-starting divorce proceedings with the European Union by the end of March next year.

In her first Conservative party conference speech as prime minister, she also dismissed claims that Britain would give away control of immigration in return for a better trade deal with the EU.

But her timetable for leaving is causing a split within the party.

ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship reports:

More on this story