British Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Brexit

LONDON — Britain’s long-awaited divorce from the European Union formally began Wednesday.

Tim Barrow, the United Kingdom's ambassador to the EU, delivered the Brexit notification letter to European Council President Donald Tusk. Tusk will respond within 48 hours.

Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament she has invoked Article 50, the legislation that triggers Brexit.

"This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union. We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws," May said.

"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."

May vowed to seek to guarantee the rights of the 1 million Britons in other EU member states and the 3 million EU citizens living in Britain as early as possible. She said she wanted a partnership based on cooperation in spheres including security and economic affairs.

Tusk said in a speech after the letter was delivered that there was “no reason to pretend this is a happy day.”

"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," the European Council said in a statement.

It said the EU's first step will be to adopt guidelines for the negotiations. "In these negotiations the Union will act as one and preserve its interests. Our first priority will be to minimize the uncertainty caused by the decision of the United Kingdom for our citizens, businesses and member states," the council said.

A majority of Britons voted to leave the bloc in a historic June referendum over issues including immigration. Britain will have two years to negotiate the terms of the split. The country is on course to leave the EU — which will have 27 members — by April 2019.

Britain joined the EU in January 1973. The referendum deeply divided the nation as 52% of Britons voted to exit and 48% to stay. England and Wales voted to leave, while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain.

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the pro-Brexit, anti-immigration U.K. Independence party (UKIP) tweeted: "The impossible dream is happening. Today we pass the point of no return. #BrexitDay"

Scotland’s Parliament voted for a new referendum on Scottish independence on Tuesday, after Scots voted 62% to 38% to remain the EU. The U.K. Parliament would have to approve any second referendum. Scotland voted to remain part of the U.K. at a previous referendum in 2014. The U.K. government has said it will not take part in discussions until after Brexit.

Sturgeon tweeted Wednesday: “Today, the PM will take the UK over a cliff with no idea of the landing place. Scotland didn't vote for it and our voice has been ignored.”

May has pledged that Britain will leave the EU's single market, which allows member nations to trade with each other without restrictions.

"We will pursue a bold and ambitious free trade agreement with the European Union that allows for the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU’s member states; that gives British companies the maximum freedom to trade with and operate within European markets; and that lets European businesses do the same in Britain," May said in her speech Wednesday.

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