LONDON: The UK has officially left the European Union ( EU) after u0007 years of membership and more than three years after it voted to do so in a referendum, finally putting an end to one of the most divisive political issues in the countryu2019s history, media reports said on Saturday.
When the clock struck u009d u009d pm on Friday, thousands taking part in a Brexit celebration event in Parliament Square erupted into cheers, said a Metro newspaper report. An illuminated clock counting down to the deadline was projected onto Downing Street and jubilant Brexiteers began singing u201c God Save the Queenu201d. The historic moment also saw anti- Brexit protests, including candlelit vigils in Scotland. Pro- EU demonstrators also staged a march at Whitehall to bid a u201c fond farewellu201d to the union.
Brexit was hailed by Prime Minister Boris . ohnson as u201c not an end but the beginningu201d. The UK and the EU have given themselves an u009d u009d - month u2018 transition periodu2019 in which the former will continue to follow the blocu2019s rules to strike new agreements on trade, security and a host of other areas . ohnson is expected to clash with EU members as he pursues a hard Brexit.
AGENCIES The road ahead u201eT Prime Minister Boris Johnson will no longer be invited to summits of the European Council of leaders. As non- EU citizens, Brits are not eligible for senior bureaucratic posts in Brussels u201eT The EU has lost 66 million inhabitants.
If Britain ever does decide it wants back in, then this will be a matter for EU accession procedures as for any outside applicant u201eT As UK leaves EU, its new passports will be going back to their traditional blue rather than burgundy, which is recommended, but not mandated by EU rules u201eT Under the withdrawal agreement, both sets of expatriates retain the rights they had before Brexit to work and reside in their host country Brexit supporters in London EU Council staff members remove the UK flag from the European Council building in Brussels. PICS/ AFP Scotland will return to the heart of Europe as an independent country Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister I am pleased the UK and EU have agreed on a Brexit deal that honours the will of the British people Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State
