LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II gave her formal assent on Thursday for Britain to end its decades-long involvement in the European Union and seek a more independent but uncertain future at the end of the month. "At times it felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we've done it," Johnson said after both houses of the British parliament ratified the withdrawal bill on Wednesday. "Now we can put the rancour and division of the past three years behind us and focus on delivering a bright, exciting future. "But I think in good conscience we have covered everything that we thought was necessary. "Once we have left the EU in just over a week's time we'll be free to start having discussions with countries around the world including the US," Downing Street said on Wednesday.

Source: Economic Times January 23, 2020 15:45 UTC