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.