welcome to bbc news. the time is1pm. the time is 2pm. i'mjane hill in i'm jane hill in westminster, where after more than four decades as a member of the eu, the united kingdom is officially set off on its own path. this was the moment when a] wring article 50 was handed over in brussels to the president of the european council. this is six pages, the notification from prime minister theresa may triggering article 50. in that letter, the prime minister said the uk was leaving the european union, but not leaving europe. we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us, and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger,

fairer britain, i place where our children and grandchildren are proud to call home. i'm ben brown, at the european commission in brussels. we will bring you all the reaction from here. and we will have all the latest news from throughout the day, from westminster and the eu. also here this afternoon. westminster bridge is closed again, flatly a week after khalid massod killed four people, as immense to remember his victims are due to be held here in the next hour. —— as events. good afternoon from westminster.

after 44 years as a member of the european union, the formal process to ta ke european union, the formal process to take the united kingdom out of the eu has begun. this lunchtime, a letter, signed by theresa may, has been handed to the president of the european council in brussels. in it, she says the referendum was invite to restore britain's national self—determination. one of the key points repeated several times is the uk's view that a future deal needs to be discussed alongside a withdrawal. near the end of the letter it says, we recognise it will bea letter it says, we recognise it will be a challenge to reach a comprehensive agreement in the two—year period, but we believe it is necessary to agree the terms of oui’ is necessary to agree the terms of our future is necessary to agree the terms of ourfuture partnership, alongside those of our withdrawal from the eu. we have plenty of guests here in westminster. but first, this

report from our correspondent carole walker. full is to sir tim barrow handed the president of the european council a letter signed by the prime minister. it was the formal notification triggering the start of brexit negotiations. minutes later, the prime minister confirmed a significant of the moment. the article 15 processes now underway, and with the wishes of the british people the united kingdom is leaving the eu. this is a historic moment from which there can be no turning back. britain is leaving the european union. we are going to make oui’ european union. we are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. we are going to control the things that matter most to us. she

acknowledged that the consequences of brexit. we know we will lose influence over rules that affect the european economy, and will have two agreed to rose from institutions of which we are no longer a part. just as we will have two with international markets and we accept that. we do this in a spirit of cooperation. is no deal still better than a bad deal? ministers have been working on a strategy for nine months, now the talking beginss. simon—mac it's about give and take on both sides. we will have to do some give and take to get the best deal for britain. already, it is clear how ha rd deal for britain. already, it is clear how hard it is going to be for

the prime minister to fulfil her mission of bringing the country together. there are stark divisions in parliament, her party and across the country. people have different views on what they want and expect from a brexit deal. at question time, the snp said scotland should be given a say at the end of negotiations. will be people of scotla nd negotiations. will be people of scotland have a choice? now is not the time to be talking about an independence referendum. crowd jeers . and today of all days, we should be coming together to look at the united kingdom. pro brexit campaigners are upbeat about the way ahead. there will be arguments over

the next two years about trade deals, but two years from now we are going to be an independent self—governing nation. going to be an independent self-governing nation. so we have her objectives in writing, now the work begins to get an agreement across the eu and the uk. carole walker, bbc news. westminster. well, with me now is the independent mpaa ‘s carswell, former ukip and conservative mp and league campaign. you must be delighted. i'm quite emotional. everything i've met dan hannan, pushing in my 205, to see it happen, it'5 hannan, pushing in my 205, to see it happen, it's a wonderful feeling, that i was very 5truck listening to theresa may about the home. we need to reach out to the 48%, the good people with good concerns and make 5ure people with good concerns and make sure this is now reflected. i think

5he sure this is now reflected. i think she is right to take the time she is taking. has letter also talks about we the nation, are leaving the eu, but not europe. we are still part of it. when my children are my age, independence is going to be important unle55 independence is going to be important unless we want to be run like north korea. we've got to find new ways of working with our friends, cooperating to deal with thing5 friends, cooperating to deal with things like terror attacks. we know all about that at westminster. there wa5 all about that at westminster. there was a all about that at westminster. there wa5a 5imilar all about that at westminster. there was a similar attack the day after the westminster attack5 was a similar attack the day after the westminster attacks in antwerp. are you confident that those key issues of security, in particular, one week and, can absolutely be protected, will be safe. while we

are ina protected, will be safe. while we are in a huge period of flux inevitably? we don't want to entrust out inevitably? we don't want to entrust our security to those who implemented the year road. you can have international... what about interpol you can have that without having to bend to security measures of those who made such a hash of the year road. the letter effectively says two years is a very tight time frame. really, is there anyone who thinks this is going to be achieved in two years? i was listening to tony abbott, the former australian prime minister, he said he set people tight timelines to help

diplomats get on with it and stops them talking endlessly. it's basically now from the german election until 2019. it's a short window that they will just have election until 2019. it's a short window that they willjust have to get on with it. we will be talking about the great repeal bill and this is where things get complicated. eu law has to move over to our statutes. the convention needs to be we are not going to change things and public priority settings. we are going to make this a transfer of the status quo into the uk legal system. we mustn't allow factions or groups within parliaments to recalibrate priorities. but the important thing to watch for is not whether the government tries to liberalise wings and the slight, do we incorporate the jurisprudence, the rulings from european courts, i want to see

theresa may's answer in black and white. once we've transposed these directives into uk law we don't end up directives into uk law we don't end up inheriting the european courts of human rights, such madness. i will be voting to make sure this government is a success. it's the best government this country has had ina best government this country has had in a generation. it's answering to the public, it's not run by people like blair, osborne, kamran. let's head inside parliament. mps digestive the letter. there are

many here who are bitterly disappointed that this day has come. others cannot take the smiles off theirfaces. i think it is others cannot take the smiles off their faces. i think it is striking that in that letter, theresa may talks about trying to get deal. there has been a lot of speculation around here that that she was pushing to get no deal at all. she makes it very clear in that letter that having no deal at all would not be the ideal situation and she is urging both sides to make sure they do try to get something. the tyne, constructive. just a little bit of a threat when she talks about whether there is no deal, with that threaten there is no deal, with that threaten the security co—operation between all these countries. as for labour, they have been under a bit of fire because jeremy corbyn

they have been under a bit of fire becausejeremy corbyn has been accused of not been strong or clear enough about labour's position, but now everyone turning their attention to what kind of brexit we are heading for. labour will not give this government a free hand to create a tax dodger‘s paradise. let's be clear that the prime minister says that no deal is better than a bad deal. but the reality is, no deal is a bad deal. labour's concerns very clear. they fear that what the conservative party want is no deal and they said that would have all sorts of knock—on effects for wages, workup's rights. something theresa may has refuted.

—— workers right. there was a lot of jeering from the snp benches. the prime minister says that she thinks brexit will bring unity to the united kingdom. it will not. it's not united and she needs to respect the differences across the nations of the united kingdom ‘s. if she does not and denies scotland a choice in ourfuture, she will make scottish independence inevitable. todayis scottish independence inevitable. today is a day for those who have campaigned britain to leave the european union. there are also labour mps who feel this is a welcome day. trade and cooperation yes. european government know.

european government no. be time for project fear is over, will decry minister agreed? we want a special relationship with the eu based on trade, friendships once we are independent again. can i have a tribute to the brexit ministers and the prime minister for their determination and dedication to get to the stage today for the british people. finally, the day has come where people can start the king about negotiating. before those talks start, they will have to decide what they are going to be talking about. theresa may making it clear in her letter, the eu must be pa rt clear in her letter, the eu must be part of the divorce talks. they must

be talking about the future too. she talks about implementation periods, recognising that two years is a very short timescale indeed, and that they need to think about how it is going to work and be allowed to come in. all eyes will be on those negotiations that theresa may will be getting on with. thank you very much. we will talk about what lies ahead now with the former trade minister, lord digbyjones. interesting there, a specific nod to business in theresa may's letter accepting that both citizens and businesses want certainty as soon as possible. i'm sure you hello and welcome to the programme. ? the companies i chair and the businesses i talked to, small and big, what they want to certainty. today is not about winners and losers, remainders

and people wanting brexit, it's about certainty. we want to know we are in the direction of travel and that's the big thing about today. does it help small businesses because we are still long way off before anything is resolved?“ because we are still long way off before anything is resolved? if i was the french negotiator on this, i would do nothing on this for a long time. if i was theresa may, i would say, fair enough, i will play you at the same game. but what we need to do is get some hard messages across the british people about what this doesn't mean. if come from the eu, you are welcome. i think the chances of someone saying you have got to go home are zero. all that is happening

with brexit in terms of integration —— immigration, is that we are controlling who comes in. they will decide, not brussels. controlled immigration because we can't remain pa rt immigration because we can't remain part of the single market...|j immigration because we can't remain part of the single market... i hear about hard and soft brexit. we need to talk about what the single market means. no tariffs, no bureaucracy, on the other side, you will take it from a luxembourg judge and you will at allow anyone to come in from the european union. it's those two things people really did vote about. let's have this argument in another place, not just let's have this argument in another place, notjust on those two issues. there'll be a lot of businesses,

wealthy people, politicians, the media, we need to say, let's stop this division. let's bring the talent together and see how can this work for everybody, and that is that letter, in a way, when it mentions businesses and people, because people are not his knees and business is people. we have talked toa business is people. we have talked to a lot of people who are concerned about trade tariffs, goods getting more expensive to export. are these nuts and bolts issues or is there a bigger picture? there is a bigger picture. if you took a spot check of ca i’s picture. if you took a spot check of cars coming up and down here, a lot of them are built in the e u. so there's no interest in either side of the channel for there to be tariffs. i think it will be zero. a lot of column inches and hot air, but we are talking about non—tariff barriers were trade. if you

manufacture in slovakia and sell things to birmingham, it's now going to go to the same place as calais, but i think the french will let it through, why? because its business sense. it doesn't hurt the french but it hurts slovakia and britain. our best friends are the europeans. this is an america, europe and britain have always come together when there are challenges. what i don't want to see is winners and losers. this great trading nation has so much it can do for its own people and the people of europe and this is a day for a different sort of relationship, not a falling out. the thing about immigration that

worries me is that before, when we come out of the eu, we can fish in a reservoir of talent from the whole world. my employer, we can actually see, we want to get you a freezer, one white come from india and one from romania, at the moment because you can do nothing about the one from romania, you can stop the one from romania, you can stop the one from india. i want to fish from romania, you can stop the one from india. iwant to fish in from romania, you can stop the one from india. i want to fish in not half of the talent, but the whole of the global talent. let's not go around sulking. let's see how this nation can do better. let's rejoin ben brown in brussels. we've been getting a reaction from donald tusk.

he was given that letter by sir tim barrow, the british ambassadorfor the european union and he has said, we miss you already and there is no reason to pretend this is a happy day in brussels or london. he took in receipt, that letter. let's talk to our european correspondent. it's quite conceal a tree in tone from theresa may? yes. i think the change in tone, back from january when she set out her stall in her speech. that went down pretty badly in some of these buildings, because it was seen as of these buildings, because it was seen as quite hostile. all the talk of no deal is better than a bad

deal. all the economic threats. it's totally different, it starts with the referendum not being an attempt to do harm to the eu. it goes on about a deep and special relationship, repeated throughout. i think that will go down better here and be a welcome message. we've heard from donald tusk, almost sad and sombre? he has been like that and sombre? he has been like that and others have all so. it's a sad day for many here. some who, after the referendum, thought it wouldn't happen. many have come to see that it is and today marks that because the significance of today is that now that letter has arrived in that building over their, everything, now that letter has arrived in that building overtheir, everything, e u

will engage in this process. the might of this machine will grind into gear with these negotiations. the clock is ticking. can it be done? it's a tight timetable. yes. in this letter, theresa may talks about issues around withdrawal but says, we also propose a bold and ambitious trade agreement. that's the problem with doing this in two years. withdrawal, everybody thinks thatis years. withdrawal, everybody thinks that is possible, but it's the future relationship here, they view it at the minute is that they want to talk about the withdrawal first and the future second and we will see if the leaders around europe confirm that in their approach. but doing all that in two years, very few people think it can be done. they don't want to punish britain,

but at the same time, they don't wa nt to but at the same time, they don't want to encourage anyone else to leave the eu? yes. i was talking to some people who spoke to michael barnier and said that he is determined to get a good deal. several things are involved, one thing is people. he is very aware that there are millions in the uk in the eu who have moved countries, who are very uncertain now. that is one thing they will prioritise but what donald tusk has made clear is that the eu is very determined. it has some principles it will stick to. eu law will continue to apply until the point that britain quits. those issues may be difficult to resolve in the future. what rules apply. the

eu in the future. what rules apply. the e u won't punish the uk, but it will be clear that it has the way it does things and will want to preserve those. it is historic because it's round up until now, and suddenly a letter arrives from a key country saying, we want to leave your club. one of the biggest donors into the budget, so that is a huge issue that the eu will have to face. huge diplomatic weight. it's a country that adds heft to the eu and has now delivered this letter. we saw donald tusk saying there is nothing to celebrate. he can't pretend there is a reason to feel positive. it's a huge problem for the eu. a reason to feel positive. it's a huge problem forthe eu. but a reason to feel positive. it's a huge problem for the eu. but there's also a sense that in the nine months

since brexit, the other 27 countries have actually started to cohere more together. other things happening have actually started to cohere more together. otherthings happening in the world are pushing them to go forward in a more united way. that is damien grammatical ‘s with us in brussels. that is damien grammaticus with us in brussels. that's all from us here in brussels. we are here in westminster and it's been exactly a week since the attack here, where khalid massod killed four people including a police officer just four people including a police officerjust behind me. in the next

few minutes, it's worth reminding you that there will be a commemoration here, at westminster, to remember those who have died and a ceremony on the bridge itself. we will carry that and bring you back commemoration when that gets under way. it's due to begin exactly one week later, so that will be in the coming minutes. also today, an inquest has begun into the deaths of the four people killed last wednesday. richard lister is at those inquests. can you explain what is happening there? we are at westminster‘s coroner's court where doctor fiona wilcox began the inquest into the people killed by khalid massod last week. there were family members in the court and some emotional scenes where the leaves of

leading investigations gave the causes of death. a married mother of two had suffered is head and chest injuries. lesley rhodes had died of head injuries. pc keith palmer was killed by a stab wound to the chest. more details were given about what happened on westminster bridge. khalid massod had mounted the pavement twice in order to target pedestrians, before mounting a pavement for a final time and hitting the gate at westminster. he then left the vehicle to attack pc keith palmer at the front of parliament and he confirmed that khalid massod was armed with two knives. the police investigation

will continue, and there will be an inquest into khalid massod's death was open here tomorrow afternoon. thank you, richard. we will have more on the commemoration here in the next little while. for the next few minutes, we will deal with the coverage of article 15. let's now head to sunderland and rejoin fiona trott. there was a protest by remainders outside the winter gardens at the numbers were small. not surprising good 3—5 people in the city voted to leave. this is a date for celebrating for them, not demonstrating. let's speak to a who is certainly involved. you've campaigned long and hard but the day

is binary here. back in june, it felt so euphoric. but now we've got to get a deal that brings things back to the uk. all we need to do is stop sending the eu money, getting control of our laws and our own borders. we need to negotiate trade across the people here in sunderland have voted leave. what does it mean for the city itself, bidding to become the uk city of culture in 2021. rebecca ball is heading that campaign. by then we may have left the eu. how does that affect your bid? there is a huge amount of uncertainty about the cult are bid. there is uncertainty over

investment, cultural workforce etc. like everybody else, we just don't know yet onto the negotiations have happened. whatever side of the debate you were on nine months ago, we need a long—term plan. the debate has been monopolised about sunderland in terms of brexit. sunderland in terms of brexit. sunderland has been seen as the brexit city. there are lots of other stories we want to tell about sunderland, and hopefully by 2021 we would be telling a different story. two views from sunderland, the first city to declare the leave vote. fiona trott in sunderland. let's talk about the commemorations that would be taking place to remember the four people who died at westminster and exactly a week ago. let's return to westminster bridge and that commemoration. sophie long is there.

thank you very much indeed. good afternoon from westminster bridge. the bridge has been closed to traffic. we are expecting an event to be held here when people remember exactly to be held here when people remember exa ctly o ne to be held here when people remember exactly one week on what happened here. i'm joined by exactly one week on what happened here. i'mjoined by one exactly one week on what happened here. i'm joined by one of the organisers of the event. thank you for being with us. tell us first of all why you decided to organise today? there has been a real desire by faith communities in the country, particularly london, to show solidarity. but also to pray for the victims. a testimony to the dedication of the police force and what they have done over the last few days, and how they have been really supportive. in london, we feel that we are working hand—in—hand with the met police. there is an important partnership. there is an important partnership.

the hard work put together by faith institutions to build those relationships over the years. it is important to see how londoners have come together. the attack on the heart of our democracy won't divide us. heart of our democracy won't divide us. we are reinforcing the importance of our democracy. it has beena very importance of our democracy. it has been a very powerful statement across london. you can see the intimacy showing between faith leaders, who wants to show we will not be divided. we fear this division. we see groups trying to ta ke division. we see groups trying to take advantage and push their divisive message. people have come here today, have left work, schools have broken up early, tojoin and show their respect. it is important to say. at 2:40pm it will be one week on since this bridge, this

tourist attraction, a bridge used by many thousands of londoners every day became the scene of terror. how would you say through your work and what you have experienced in the past week, londoners have come to terms with this? londoners have shown a real resilience to, got together. women who came from all different traditions, standing hand—in—hand on the bridge on sunday. we have seen faith communities work with people. we have seen communities work with people. we have seen mosques communities work with people. we have seen mosques lead prayers for the nation. people want to show that we really appreciate the diversity in london and we want to remain together. those who seek to divide us are together. those who seek to divide us are failing. this attack was unsophisticated, it was desperate, it was very cowardly. what we are seeing is that communities do feel they can move on. we want to

represent and work closely. the police have been tremendous in helping us organise this. they have made it happen. we are happy and we are proud to be part of this, and to bring the two minute is to bring respects. we can see people coming over the bridge. talk us through what is going to happen? we are going to see people standing across the bridge, shoulder to shoulder. looking and stopping for a few minutes to remember what has taken place, and to think about the victims. but also to think about the unity that we have value —— and the result we have demonstrated as londoners. we have shown in difficult times we are going to be tied together and protect one another. that has been highlighted in london. we hope the stand will

happen at 2:40pm. there will be a minute's silence. we can see office rs minute's silence. we can see officers coming onto the bridge and other faith leaders, from the muslims faith, jewish faith, seeks... people of no faith. the british humanist here today. it symbolises the intimate partnerships that have been built between different faith institutions and the police, as well as other society groups. we will remain resolved and we will not allow those who seek to disrupt our way of living to win. i can see young girls from the islamic school who have come to pay their respects. it is really powerful to see people of all faiths and

traditions coming together. it makes a powerful statement. we are overwhelmed by how many people have come. we did not expect this in many ways. we were expecting 500 people. i don't know how many. it is really, really powerful. i think this is a testimony that london will always remain resolved, they will always remain respect. a city famous for its tolerance and unity in difficult times. we will move to the side of the road. there area move to the side of the road. there are a huge number of people now very quietly walking across westminster bridge. i'm here with mustapha fields from the faith forum of london, a group that has helped to organise this event along with the

metropolitan police. we are expecting one of the members of the mounted branch of the metropolitan police to blow a whistle at 20 minutes to three, and that, of course, the moment, in 82 seconds, so course, the moment, in 82 seconds, so many lives were changed. course, the moment, in 82 seconds, so many lives were changedm really is an overwhelming experience to be standing here now, seeing that londoners have all come out to show this beautiful unity that we have. love for all, hatred for non—. this isa love for all, hatred for non—. this is a powerful statement. we have seen is a powerful statement. we have seen different faith communities, out and make this statement. —— come. that is what makes london very special. a week later we come out onto the street to show our respects. it highlights the community we have. people have come out of the workplace. it is a testament to some of the work that has been done to build partnerships

between local authorities and the police, led by different civic societal organisations. it is not just london of course. we're also seeing events taking place around the country, leicester, manchester, sheffield, and also new scotland ya rd sheffield, and also new scotland yard today. senior officers will come out at 20 minutes to three to lay flowers in memory of pc keith palmer, who died a week ago. tributes will be played everywhere. i got messages from kingston, communities are coming together in their own local neighbourhoods to pay respects, to remember what has taken place. but also to celebrate that we have not been divided as a society. the centre of our democracy has been attacked. people have rallied around. i am very proud. it isa rallied around. i am very proud. it is a great experience. this is the seen live on westminster

bridge as hundreds gathered to remember the four people who lost their lives here exactly one week ago. i have spoken to many londoners who have come here today, many bearing flowers, many saying they arejust coming here bearing flowers, many saying they are just coming here to show unity and solidarity and to say they are against the violence that results in the tragic scenes that were seen here exactly one week ago. let's have one more thought from the

faiths forum for london, who organised today's event with the metropolitan police. many people coming here today wearing t—shirts saying, iam coming here today wearing t—shirts saying, i am a muslim. it is very important that people... in london we celebrate our faith and beliefs. we are proud of the freedoms we have. we are proud of our democracy. the attack on our democracy is really something that has been very precious to us. it is important to see people coming out who are proud to be muslim, to stand up and recognise the importance of our unity, our solidarity, that we continue to work together. i have to commend the met police for leading this in many ways, and being the pillar working closely with our communities and faith institutions in london and across the country. thank you. people continue to move across westminster bridge. as they

do that, i will leave you with these pictures and hand you back to jane. selfie, thank you. sophie long on westminster bridge, which has been closed this afternoon to remember the attacks exactly one week ago, in which four people died. many other people still in hospital, of course. with me here outside the houses of parliament is the conservative mp, theresa villiers. you havejoined us to talk about article 50. we will speak about that. your thoughts about that attack one week on? we we re about that attack one week on? we were watching those pictures. very sober scenes but wonderful that hundreds of people came out to remember what happened. it'sjust so incredibly sad that there are families suffering so much because they have lost loved ones or their loved ones have suffered such serious injuries. i welcome the fact

so serious injuries. i welcome the fact so many people were there to show their solidarity and sympathy to the people who have fallen victim to this attack. that was exactly one week ago. today we are here primarily discussing article 50, a very significant day in politics. your thoughts, as someone who was keen for britain to leave the eu, your thoughts about this historic day? i feel a sense of optimism and anticipation. i'm absolutely convinced that the uk can look forward to a bright future outside the eu. but i also recognise the need to bring people together, to heal the divisions exposed by the referendum and work for a settlement with which the majority of leave and remain supporters can be co mforta ble. remain supporters can be comfortable. is that your sense? is that what you take away from theresa may's letter to donald tusk, that there is an acknowledgement that this has to work for everybody, the matter where they live in the uk? that came across strongly from the

letter and the prime minister's statement, that she wants to get a deal with the eu that works for the whole of our united kingdom, both sides of the referendum. and also, a settle m e nt sides of the referendum. and also, a settlement that works for the eu, too. we can come out of it with a good outcome for both sides. with your background in the politics of northern ireland, is that a concern for you? that northern ireland, is that a concern for you ? that issue northern ireland, is that a concern for you? that issue of the border is extremely difficult, isn't it? there area extremely difficult, isn't it? there are a range of issues behind political instability in northern ireland at the moment. the key concern in relation to brexit is the border. both the uk and the irish governments have been as clear as they can that they want to retain they can that they want to retain the border, and it has also been acknowledged by eu leaders that they want, if possible, to try to avoid options which introduce unnecessary division in the island of island macro. “—

division in the island of island macro. —— ireland. i believe we can deliver a border which stays as open as it is. you feel that can be done? yeah. in reference to theresa may's letter to donald tusk, and she talks about trade and tariffs, she says if we leave the european union without an agreement, the position is we would have two trade on wto terms. but she goes on to say that in security terms, a failure to reach agreement would mean the cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened. that is a striking statement. there are people who say those sentences are in the same paragraph. you interpret that as a threat? i wouldn't describe it in that way. it is true there are a range of different issues on the table, including our trading relationship and our security relationship. inevitably there will be trade—offs between the

two. i don't think it is unreasonable for the prime minister to have included both in our letter. it is particularly important for the eu to remit —— to maintain eu security cooperation because of the commitment we bring to it. i'm sure we will see a flourishing security relationship. fright —— here we are, one week on from an attackjust over the bridge. that is something that has got to be secure throughout these negotiations, hasn't it? we wa nt to these negotiations, hasn't it? we want to continue security relations with the eu, which enable us all to do the most we possibly can to combat crime and terrorism. many thanks for being with us. let's return to another part of westminster. vicky young joins me. i have moved from central lobby of the house of commons... i'm joined

by the former ukip leader, nigel farage. you are celebrated in today. did you think this moment would come? in many ways, no. 25 years i have been battling this. being told i was daft and silly and it would never happen. in a sense for me todayis never happen. in a sense for me today is the day the impossible dream came true. what meant this day could come about, given that probably five years ago not many people thought it would happen?” think the european union's failer, its extension to getting the mediterranean countries to join, people saying how badly it had gone. and goodness we avoided that. i think the migrant prices and the absolute rejectionism of what angela merkel wanted in terms of unlimited number of people. just a basic feeling that we were losing the ability to chart our own future, to

make voting really matter, and to control our borders. there are a lot of things that came together. quite a conciliatory tone towards the eu from theresa may today. do you think we don't need to do any negotiation, we don't need to do any negotiation, we should probablyjust we don't need to do any negotiation, we should probably just leave? we don't need to do any negotiation, we should probablyjust leave? no, i don't actually. our hand is strong. they sell us £80 billion worth of goods every year, more than we sell them. we have every reason to think we should be able to negotiate a sensible deal while taking back control of our own lives. it is in their interests more than ours. do you wish the eu well? theresa may said it was in our interest to succeed. i'm sorry, it is ridiculous for a british prime minister to say that we have got back our independence, we are going to go global, we are going to be democratic, we're going to be great. the other 27 countries should stay run by the eu. it doesn't make any sense. i have taken the view for 15

yea rs sense. i have taken the view for 15 years that the european project is a mistake. good idea to begin with but a mistake. iwould mistake. good idea to begin with but a mistake. i would like to see the european union break up. i would like to see europe, the sovereign independent states, work together and britain playing a leading role. if broker up, that would be pretty turbulent for our economy and there is too. —— if the eu broke up. turbulent for our economy and there is too. -- if the eu broke up. it is going to break up. it doesn't work on any level. i can't tell you what will happen in the french presidential election. but marine le pen could become french president and she is against the project. brexit is not an isolated incident. brexit is not an isolated incident. brexit is not an isolated incident. brexit is part of a europe—wide phenomenon of people saying, this form of government, we don't want it, we need a betterfuture. form of government, we don't want it, we need a better future. what do you say to businesses particularly you say to businesses particularly you are worried about going onto

world trade organisation rules, tariffs? lots of people say we will be fine. it's incredibly worrying, isn't it? only about 1796 of the global economy is the european union. there is a huge world. we export a lot? we do. we also export a lot to the rest of the world. my priorities for britain to become a global trading nation. iwant priorities for britain to become a global trading nation. i want us to have a great deal with the european union. i think we will get that. but if we didn't, no deal is better than the current deal we have got. nigel farage, thank you. there are many in the house of commons celebrating this moment today. theresa may recognise others are disappointed about brexit. everyone focusing on the negotiations and the kind of deal britain might get. thank you,. vicky young. much more

from her later. let's discuss trade, ta riffs etc. we're nowjoined by two people to analysis that more. janice charette, the high commissionerfor canada to the united kingdom. and koji tsuruoka, the japanese ambassador. good to have you with us. your country has already, i believe, had significant involvement here. people will know plenty about the long number of years it took for canada to negotiate its own trade deal with the eu, and now you are training people who may be doing it on behalf of the uk? this is obviously a very important day in terms of the triggering of article 50, and canada is very interested in how these negotiations proceed. our interest

in prosperity and national security for canadians are also very well served by the uk and the eu going through the negotiation process. that allows them to contribute to prosperity, national security and global peace. that is one of the reasons why canada has been interested in assisting the uk with trade negotiation expertise to try to help them as we would in other areas with a friend, ally and partner. there may be british people listening who are well aware that it took seven years to negotiate the trade deal that finally went through, thinking, goodness, is it going to take that long for the uk. it was a complex undertaking. but canada has serious business interest here in the uk. the uk is our largest trading partner in the eu. we have very significant pension fund dollars invested. very significant business interests.

helping the uk to arrive at their combines a trade agreement with the eu is good for a canadian business, canadian employers and canadian consumers. explain for us what japan's desire is for all of this? what does japan want to see from the negotiations? we would like to see a successful negotiation concluded in time. what happens between the uk and the eu will affect the global economy. this is notjust one country or mcafee eu, it is a global issue that we need to be in. that is why we are keenly interested in following and supporting both the uk and the eu. we approached both last september with specific points that need to be addressed through the negotiation. this will be every difficult negotiation, for sure. but with the letter that i have seen

sent by prime minister mayor, i think the spirit is high. this is a very good start to try to corporate with a positive spirit. they constructive approach will be the key for success. there are some anime or questions i have for you. i'm sorry we can't speed longer. time is not on row side. we appreciate your time. thank you so much. let's pours very briefly and catch up with the windy weather prospects. tha nkfully thankfully the weather is more straightforward at the moment. it ranges at best from that sort of conditions, but as its very worst, with the onshore breeze in the eastern side, this is the prevailing setup at the moment. quite a bit of fog. further west, the cloud is thicker and it's producing some rain. we keep on eye on the western side of cornwall into the brecon

beacons and the cumbrian fells. increasingly through the afternoon and evening we will find some of that rain moving further north in scotland. around about solway, the cumbrian fells, the western slopes of the pennines, heavy downpours. the western side of wales, more than its fair share. the western side of wales, more than its fairshare. generally the western side of wales, more than its fair share. generally speaking, the further east you are, certainly down towards westminster, we will keep dry in that particular neck of the woods. through the evening and overnight heavy rain moving out of the south—west. another one working its way into scotland. quite a bit of dry weather around. with all the cloud and a south to south—westerly breeze, temperature is not falling away breeze, temperature is not falling r breeze, temperature is not falling away very far. that is the sort of level you would expect for a daytime this time of the year. then we are off and running into thursday. it is this western area that sees the rain up this western area that sees the rain up through wales. rainfall totals

beginning to mount in the cumbrian fells and the southern part of the southern uplands. towards the east it will stay dry. if the cloud pops, we could be looking at 20 to 21 degrees. here we are again on friday. low pressure close by to the western side of scotland. and that rain will takea western side of scotland. and that rain will take a time before it d rifts rain will take a time before it drifts away. elsewhere, quite a bit of dry weather. a brighter prospect than will be the case today or parts of thursday. for saturday, a little ridge of high pressure comes in to kill off what will be a showery day. then it really establishes itself on sunday. a lot of fine, settled weather to come. saturday itself, a rash of showers across the british isles. no great organisation about them. at its best, a bit of brightness. then in comes the ridge of high—pressure, settling things nicely across many parts.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill in westminster, where, after more than four decades as a member of the european union, the united kingdom is officially setting off on its own path. this was the moment when the letter triggering article 50 was handed over in brussels to the president of the european council. in the letter, the prime minister said the uk was "leaving the european union, but not leaving europe." we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer britain, a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home. i'm ben brown at the european commission in brussels where the clock is now running on two years of negotiations —