"Today, the European Council received a letter from the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, notifying the United Kingdom's intention to leave the European Union. This notification follows the referendum of 23 June 2016 and starts the withdrawal process under Article 50 of the Treaty. We regret that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union, but we are ready for the process that we now will have to follow.

"For the European Union, the first step will now be the adoption of guidelines for the negotiations by the European Council. These guidelines will set out the overall positions and principles in light of which the Union, represented by the European Commission, will negotiate with the United Kingdom.

"In these negotiations the Union will act as one and preserve its interests. Our first priority will be to minimise the uncertainty caused by the decision of the United Kingdom for our citizens, businesses and Member States. Therefore, we will start by focusing on all key arrangements for an orderly withdrawal.

"We will approach these talks constructively and strive to find an agreement. In the future, we hope to have the United Kingdom as a close partner.

"President Tusk has convened the European Council on 29 April 2017."

Donald Tusk, the European Council president, is speaking in Brussels. 

He says, rather touchingly, that "we already miss" the UK.

Moving on to more concrete matters, he says his goal is "an ordinary withdrawal", saying he will circulate draft guidelines for the EU's negotiating stance on Friday.

He says the EU's member countries are "more united" than ever and will remain so during the negotiations. 

He says he has a "strong mandate" to protect the interests of the other 27 members during the talks.

He says his goal is clear "to minimise costs for EU citizens and businesses", likening the process to "damage control".

Nothing will change over the next two years, he adds. 

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In response to Mr Corbyn, Theresa May said many of Labour's tests for the Brexit deal, which include defending workers rights, had already been accepted by her government.

She taunts the Labour leader that he hasn't mentioned a sixth test, that the deal will secure fair management of migration. She claimed shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, had argued that freedom of movement is a worker's right, while Mr Corbyn had said his party is not wedded to that right.

Mrs May insisted "on today of all days we should be coming together" adding all parties should be accepting the ambition for the country and its future "and we should not be talking down negotiations".

In the letter, Theresa May begins by saying the Leave referendum vote was "no rejection" of European values and the UK wanted the EU to "succeed and prosper". 

Read the full text of the UK's letter to the EU officially announcing its departure.

The Article 50 letter sets out seven negotiating principles. They are:

• We should engage with one another constructively and respectfully, in a spirit of sincere cooperation
• We should always put our citizens first
• We should work towards securing a comprehensive agreement
• We should work together to minimise disruption and give as much certainty as possible. 
• We must pay attention to the UK’s unique relationship with the Republic of Ireland and the importance of the peace process in Northern Ireland
• We should begin technical talks on detailed policy areas as soon as possible, but we should prioritise the biggest challenges
• We should continue to work together to advance and protect our shared European values

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Jeremy Corbyn accuses the government of being "utterly complacent" about the task of divorcing Britain from the EU.

He mocks the chancellor, Philip Hammond, for saying in interviews that the UK can't have its cake and eat it.

He also takes to task Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson who promised the NHS £350m a week during the EU referendum campaign, and had commented that leaving without a deal "would be okay".

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Mr Corbyn said Labour will hold the government to account "at every stage" of the EU negotiations.

Addressing Mrs May, he said: "It would be a national failure of historic proportions if you come back from Brussels without having secured protection for jobs and living standards."

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Image source, HoC

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In response to Mrs May's statement, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn urged the government  to listen, consult and represent the whole country and "not just the hardline Tory ideologues on her own benches".

Turning on the PM he said the direction she is taking "is dangerous and damaging".

"You say no deal is better than a bad deal, but the reality is no deal is a bad deal," he added.

Image source, AFP

The contents of the letter have been released. More detail shortly. 

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The prime minister said that at a time when the growth of global trade is slowing and protectionsm is on the rise, "Europe has a responsibility to stand up for free trade in the interest of all our citizens".

She continued that Britain's decision to leave the EU was "no rejection of the values of fellow Europeans - we'll continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends".

The UK wants to continue trading with the EU, she said, and wants the closest possible security cooperation "to keep our people safe".

"That message was only reinforced by the abhorrent attack on Westminster Bridge last week," Mrs May said, accepting that today is considered "a day of celebration for some and disappointment by others"

Image source, AFP

The UK is officially on its way out of the European Union after 44 years.

Prime Minister Theresa May has triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty starting a two year countdown to the UK's exit.

Britain's ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, hand-delivered a six page letter from Mrs May to EU Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels to formally begin divorce proceedings.

It follows June's referendum which resulted in a vote to leave the EU.

In a statement in the Commons, the prime minister told MPs this marks "the moment for the country to come together".

She pledged to "represent every person in the whole United Kingdom" during the negotiations - including EU nationals, whose status after Brexit has yet to be settled.

"It is my fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country," she said

"For, as we face the opportunities ahead of us on this momentous journey, our shared values, interests and ambitions can - and must - bring us together."

Read our full story

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Image source, HoC

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The UK's prime minister said at moments like these the choices that are made "define the character of the nation", adding: "We can choose to say the task is too great", or "we can look forward with optimism and hope and the enduring power of the British spirit".

She said: "I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead."

Leaving the EU presents the country with a "unique opportunity" to step back and to emerge "stronger, fairer, more united and outward looking than ever before".

She said the UK would be more tolerant and prosperous - "I want us to be a truly global Britain, a best friend and partner to our European neighbours".

With Article 50 now triggered, what are the options for the UK's negotiators when it comes to trade?