Theresa May - "We will never be neutral on NI" as Brexit begins
The Prime Minister has said the Government will "never be neutral" on Northern Ireland, after officially beginning the Brexit process.
Last updated 29th Mar 2017
Theresa May delivered a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday to trigger Article 50.
"Today of course we do give effect to the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom who voted for us to leave the European Union," said Mrs May.
"And it was a call to make the United Kingdom a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
"We are of course, within that, fully committed to ensuring that the unique interests of Northern Ireland are protected and advanced."
"Our position has always been clear that we strongly support the Belfast Agreement, including the principle of consent that Northern Ireland's constitutional position is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland to determine.
"But as our manifesto made clear, we have a preference that Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom, and we will never be neutral in expressing our support for that.
"And that's because I believe fundamentally in the strength of our union.''