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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.

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May: No limits on UK's ability to control immigration

Theresa May speaking in Birmingham on Sunday. Credit: PA

Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will not accept any limits on Britain's ability to control immigration in negotiations to leave the European Union which will start by the end of March 2017.

Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Mrs May rejected the argument Britain must choose between "hard Brexit" - in which it regains control over immigration but loses access to the European single market - and "soft Brexit", under which access to the single market comes with a requirement to allow free movement of EU workers.

"I know some people ask about the 'trade-off' between controlling immigration and trading with Europe. But that is the wrong way of looking at things.

"We have voted to leave the European Union and become a fully independent, sovereign country.

"We will do what independent, sovereign countries do. We will decide for ourselves how we control immigration. And we will be free to pass our own laws."

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

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