1 of 2

In this photo taken Wednesday, June 20, 2018, anti-Brexit, pro-EU supporters hold placards during a protest near the Houses of Parliament in London. The divisions opened up by the 2016 referendum have not healed, but hardened, splitting Britain into two camps: leavers and remainers. Almost the only thing the two groups share is pessimism about the way Brexit is going. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

2 of 2

In this photo taken on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, anti-Brexit, pro-EU supporters with EU flags take part in a protest backdropped by the Houses of Parliament in London. The divisions opened up by the 2016 referendum have not healed, but hardened, splitting Britain into two camps: leavers and remainers. Almost the only thing the two groups share is pessimism about the way Brexit is going. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Johnson urges clean Brexit, 2 years after UK vote to quit EU

By Associated Press London

PUBLISHED 1:50 PM ET May. 09, 2019

LONDON (AP) — Leading Brexit supporters are talking tough, and opponents are taking to the streets, on the second anniversary of Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Saturday marks two years since a June 23, 2016 referendum resulted in a decision to quit the 28-nation EU. Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29, 2019, but its government remains divided about what kind of economic relationship it wants with the EU after Brexit.

Pro-Brexit Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson urged Prime Minister Theresa May to deliver a "full British Brexit," rather than one he compared to toilet paper — "soft, yielding and seemingly infinitely long."

Meanwhile, thousands of opponents of Brexit are due to rally outside Parliament, calling for a referendum on any final divorce deal between Britain and the EU.