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Brexit: Arrests in London and Glasgow as crowds gather to mark departure from EU

Brexit supporters celebrate as the clock reaches 11pm in Parliament Square, London, 31 January, 2020: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images
Brexit supporters celebrate as the clock reaches 11pm in Parliament Square, London, 31 January, 2020: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images

Six people were arrested on Brexit night as people both celebrated and mourned Britain leaving the EU.

Police dealt with a handful of arrests as people gathered at major events across the UK to mark Brexit at 11pm on Friday.

The Metropolitan Police arrested five people in Whitehall, in central London, including one man who was charged with criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly.

Kevin Murphy, 52, of Corbyn Street, North London, was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

A 28-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, a 52-year-old was arrested for the same offence as well as obstructing a police officer, and a 33-year-old was arrested under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and for failing to appear.

All three men remain in custody.

A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threatening behaviour but later released from custody and will not face any further action.

In Glasgow, there was a heavy police presence in the city centre as groups for and against Brexit held events minutes away from each other.

Pro-EU campaigners gathered at the Donald Dewar statue on Buchanan Street ahead of the official departure time of 11pm.

Police said one 25-year-old man was arrested over minor disorder.

Superintendent Mark Sutherland, of Police Scotland, said: "On Friday 31 January officers were in attendance at various Brexit-related events which took place in Glasgow city centre.

"A proportionate policing response was in place to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the wider city centre community.

"The events passed peacefully with only one arrest of a 25-year-old man in connection with a minor disorder offence in Buchanan Street."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said there had been no arrests at a celebration in Belfast.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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