5 years on, Brexit bedevils pandemic-hit UK

Five years on from Britain's shock decision to give up europe, the wounds opened by Brexit have yet to heal, and analysts say its far-reaching changes are only just beginning. The corona virus pandemic has masked the monetary dislocation due to the referendum verdict, which backed severing five decades of integration with the European mainland. British trade with the EU collapsed in the beginning of the year, when Brexit's full effects came into force, but against a backdrop of much deeper damage wrought by COVID-19. And the huge benefits promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a newly invigorated "Global Britain" remain a work happening, as the country's very cohesion is at risk from an emboldened nationalist movement in pro-EU Scotland.

Johnson was upbeat on the consequences of Brexit in comments marking the anniversary of the Jun 23, 2016 referendum.

"Now as we recover from this pandemic, we will seize the real potential of our regained sovereignty to unite and level up our whole UK," the prime minister said.

"With control over our regulations and subsidies, and with freeports driving new investment, we will spur innovation, jobs and renewal across all of our country," he added.

"This Government got Brexit done and we've already reclaimed our money, laws, borders and waters."