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Brexit: UK to quit EU at 23:00 GMT, as PM promises 'new dawn' | Brexit: UK to quit EU at 23:00 GMT, as PM promises 'new dawn' |
(32 minutes later) | |
The UK will leave the EU at 23:00 GMT, ending 47 years of membership. | The UK will leave the EU at 23:00 GMT, ending 47 years of membership. |
In a video message to be released an hour earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will call Brexit - which follows more than three years of political wrangling - a "new dawn". | In a video message to be released an hour earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will call Brexit - which follows more than three years of political wrangling - a "new dawn". |
A series of events including marches, celebrations and candlelit vigils will be held by both Brexiteers and pro-EU demonstrators. | A series of events including marches, celebrations and candlelit vigils will be held by both Brexiteers and pro-EU demonstrators. |
Little will change immediately, as the UK begins a "transition period". | Little will change immediately, as the UK begins a "transition period". |
Most EU laws will continue to be in force - including the free movement of people - until the end of December, by which time the UK aims to have reached a permanent free trade agreement with the EU. | Most EU laws will continue to be in force - including the free movement of people - until the end of December, by which time the UK aims to have reached a permanent free trade agreement with the EU. |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the country not to "turn inwards" and instead "build a truly internationalist, diverse and outward-looking Britain". | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the country not to "turn inwards" and instead "build a truly internationalist, diverse and outward-looking Britain". |
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK "must be united in a common vision for our country, however great our differences on achieving it". | The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK "must be united in a common vision for our country, however great our differences on achieving it". |
Former Prime Minister David Cameron, who led the campaign to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum, called it a "very big day for our country", adding that he believed the UK could "make a success of the choice that we made". | Former Prime Minister David Cameron, who led the campaign to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum, called it a "very big day for our country", adding that he believed the UK could "make a success of the choice that we made". |
And Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: "At last the day comes when we break free. A massive victory for the people against the establishment." | And Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: "At last the day comes when we break free. A massive victory for the people against the establishment." |
Brexit was originally scheduled for 29 March last year but was repeatedly delayed when MPs rejected a previous withdrawal agreement reached by the EU and former Prime Minister Theresa May. | Brexit was originally scheduled for 29 March last year but was repeatedly delayed when MPs rejected a previous withdrawal agreement reached by the EU and former Prime Minister Theresa May. |
Mr Johnson was able to get his own deal through Parliament after winning December's general election with a House of Commons majority of 80, on a pledge to "get Brexit done". | Mr Johnson was able to get his own deal through Parliament after winning December's general election with a House of Commons majority of 80, on a pledge to "get Brexit done". |
This brought to an end more than three years of political argument, following the referendum, in which 52% of voters backed leaving the EU. | This brought to an end more than three years of political argument, following the referendum, in which 52% of voters backed leaving the EU. |
The prime minister will hold a cabinet meeting in Sunderland - the city that was the first to back Brexit when results were announced after the referendum - later. | The prime minister will hold a cabinet meeting in Sunderland - the city that was the first to back Brexit when results were announced after the referendum - later. |
In his message, Mr Johnson, who led the 2016 campaign to get the UK out of the EU, will attempt to strike an optimistic, non-triumphalist note. | In his message, Mr Johnson, who led the 2016 campaign to get the UK out of the EU, will attempt to strike an optimistic, non-triumphalist note. |
"The most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning," he will say in a message filmed in Downing Street. | "The most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning," he will say in a message filmed in Downing Street. |
"This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act. It is a moment of real national renewal and change." | "This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act. It is a moment of real national renewal and change." |
Brexit Party MEPs, including Ann Widdecombe, left the European Parliament in Brussels led by a bagpiper. | Brexit Party MEPs, including Ann Widdecombe, left the European Parliament in Brussels led by a bagpiper. |
Supporters of the EU are expected to take part in a procession through Whitehall at 15:00 GMT to "bid a fond farewell" to the union. | Supporters of the EU are expected to take part in a procession through Whitehall at 15:00 GMT to "bid a fond farewell" to the union. |
Later, Brexiteers will gather in Parliament Square for a celebration, and a clock counting down to the moment the UK leaves the EU will be projected on to Downing Street. | Later, Brexiteers will gather in Parliament Square for a celebration, and a clock counting down to the moment the UK leaves the EU will be projected on to Downing Street. |
Buildings along Whitehall will be lit up and Union flags line Parliament Square. | Buildings along Whitehall will be lit up and Union flags line Parliament Square. |
A new commemorative 50p coin will also come into circulation to mark the UK's withdrawal. | A new commemorative 50p coin will also come into circulation to mark the UK's withdrawal. |
However, Big Ben will not chime at 23:00 GMT due to ongoing renovation works. | However, Big Ben will not chime at 23:00 GMT due to ongoing renovation works. |
Mr Johnson will host a reception in Downing Street for cabinet ministers, No 10 advisers, civil servants, those involved in the negotiations and supporter of the campaign to leave the EU. | |
They will be served English sparkling wine and a selection of canapés including fillet of lamb on toast, Shropshire blue cheese, beef and Yorkshire pudding with horseradish sauce, mushrooms tarts and roast chicken skewers. | |
In Brussels, the UK flag will be removed from the EU institutions, with one Union flag expected to be consigned to a museum. | In Brussels, the UK flag will be removed from the EU institutions, with one Union flag expected to be consigned to a museum. |
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to UK citizens who had "contributed to the European Union and made it stronger". | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to UK citizens who had "contributed to the European Union and made it stronger". |
"It is the story of old friends and new beginnings now," she said. "Therefore it is an emotional day, but I'm looking forward to the next stage." | "It is the story of old friends and new beginnings now," she said. "Therefore it is an emotional day, but I'm looking forward to the next stage." |
Upcoming negotiations would be "fair" but each side would fight for its interests, she added. | Upcoming negotiations would be "fair" but each side would fight for its interests, she added. |
But European Council President Charles Michel warned that UK access to EU markets would be more restricted after Brexit. | But European Council President Charles Michel warned that UK access to EU markets would be more restricted after Brexit. |
"The more the UK will diverge from the EU standards, the less access to the single market it will have," he said. | "The more the UK will diverge from the EU standards, the less access to the single market it will have," he said. |
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney told Sky News he thought the EU and UK would struggle to reach a trade deal during the 11-month transition period, as there was "too much to agree". | Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney told Sky News he thought the EU and UK would struggle to reach a trade deal during the 11-month transition period, as there was "too much to agree". |
In Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU in the 2016 referendum, candlelit vigils are planned. | In Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU in the 2016 referendum, candlelit vigils are planned. |
In a speech in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland was being "taken out of the European Union against the wishes of the overwhelming majority" of its people. | In a speech in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland was being "taken out of the European Union against the wishes of the overwhelming majority" of its people. |
She argued that Scotland had "the prospect of a brighter, better future as an equal, independent European nation". | She argued that Scotland had "the prospect of a brighter, better future as an equal, independent European nation". |
Speaking in Cardiff, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford - who campaigned for Remain in the referendum - said Wales was leaving the EU "with our heads held high", adding: "Wales remains a European nation." | Speaking in Cardiff, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford - who campaigned for Remain in the referendum - said Wales was leaving the EU "with our heads held high", adding: "Wales remains a European nation." |
Wales voted to leave the EU at the 2016 referendum by 52.5% to 47.5%. | Wales voted to leave the EU at the 2016 referendum by 52.5% to 47.5%. |
For Labour, Mr Corbyn, who is due to stand down as party leader in April, said the UK was "at a crossroads", saying his party would "hold the government to account every step of the way". | For Labour, Mr Corbyn, who is due to stand down as party leader in April, said the UK was "at a crossroads", saying his party would "hold the government to account every step of the way". |
Liberal Democrat acting leader Sir Ed Davey vowed his pro-EU party would "never stop fighting" to have the "closest possible relationship" with Europe. | Liberal Democrat acting leader Sir Ed Davey vowed his pro-EU party would "never stop fighting" to have the "closest possible relationship" with Europe. |
He said it would be on a "damage-limitation exercise to stop a hard Brexit hurting British people". | He said it would be on a "damage-limitation exercise to stop a hard Brexit hurting British people". |
Cabinet minister Michael Gove told BBC Breakfast he was "relieved" and "delighted" that Brexit was "at last coming to pass". | Cabinet minister Michael Gove told BBC Breakfast he was "relieved" and "delighted" that Brexit was "at last coming to pass". |