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International

UK officially leaves EU after 47 years of membership

12:40, Saturday, 01 February, 2020
UK officially leaves EU after 47 years of membership

Britain officially left the European Union at 11:00 pm (2300 GMT) on Friday after 47 years in the fold – the last three dominated by wrangling over when and how the kingdom would eventually leave.

Emotions were running high as the EU's often reluctant member becomes the first to leave an organisation set up to forge unity among nations after the horrors of World War II.

Thousands of people waving Union Jack flags packed London's Parliament Square to celebrate the moment of Brexit at 11 pm (2300 GMT), and one Brexit supporter set fire to an EU flag.

Parties were also held in working men's club s in northern England, while pro-Europeans marked the occasion with more solemn candlelit vigils.

Brexit has exposed deep divisions in British society, and away from celebrations, many fear the consequences of ending 47 years of ties with their nearest neighbours.

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