PM says ‘no turning back’ from historic Brexit

Prime Minister Theresa May has said Brexit is “an historic moment from which there can be no turning back", with Article 50 now formally triggered.

The letter informing the European Council of the UK’s intention to leave the EU has been handed to EC president Donald Tusk, starting a two-year negotiation.

She further told MPs that she believes the UK’s “best days lie ahead” and that she would work for the “best possible deal” after the formal triggering of Article 50.

Mrs May said: “Now is the time for us to come together to be united across this House and across this country.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party will ensure the Government is held to account at every stage of Brexit.

He added that he would not give the prime minister a "free hand" to use Brexit to attack rights and cut services.

Having received the prime minister’s letter, European Council President Donald Tusk said: “There is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day, either in Brussels or London.”

He added: “After all, most Europeans - including almost half the British voters - wish that we would stay together, not drift apart.”

In Belfast, around 300 anti-Brexit protestors marched on Parliament Buildings to express particular concern over the impact on border communities.

Campaigners set up mock customs checkpoints at the gates of the Stormont estate to highlight the impact of any potential hardening of the Irish border as a result of the UK leaving the EU.