David Cameron last night fell on his sword, announcing there will be a staged exit from Number 10 and a new prime minister by October.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon said a second vote in just two years on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom in now "highly likely".

COMMENT: Despite the views of David Cameron, a majority of MPs, the UK business community, Britain's voters have defied them all to return a Leave vote.

European stock markets dived when they opened tonight after Brexit vote.

More than £100billion was wiped off the FTSE 100 - the biggest fall in UK history - as Britain's decision to leave the EU caused panic across the globe.

COMMENT: If ever John Key was in a position to help his political "bestie" this is it.

Global financial markets were thrown into turmoil yesterday after Britons voted to exit the European Union (EU).

COMMENT: The political fallout will be equally dramatic as Britain and the EU work through whatever plan they have for the break-up.

"The will of the British people must be respected" - British PM announces his resignation after the historic EU referendum delivered clear backing for Brexit.

Britain has voted clearly in favour of leaving the EU, but that is just the start of a very long process.

Europe is waking up to the news that Britain has decided to leave the European union and reaction to the result is spreading across twitter.

The UK has voted to leave the European Union by a majority 52 per cent. Here are some reasons the 'leave' campaign succeeded.

The Brexit vote has inspired debate across the globe - but a movement in the US has been demanding independence for longer.

This afternoon on NZ Herald Focus we talk to Liam Dann about the latest upset in the Brexit referendum and efforts ramp up to secure the release of the New Zealander taken hostage in Nigeria.

So it looks like we're heading for a Brexit. So what happens next?

No matter what Britain decides, leaders say ambitions to build a united continent may be on hold after the bitter campaign exposed deeper troubles.

If the polls are to be believed, the vote could be very close. Here's why that is such a worrying prospect.

The UK has voted to leave the European Union by a majority 52 per cent.

Britain's leading anti-EU politician, UKIP leader Nigel Farage, claims the Government rigged the vote in favour of Britain staying in the EU.

World financial markets have rallied sharply on the prospects of Britain remaining in the EU.

The outcome of the referendum is too close to call, according to pollsters, but a series of final surveys conducted before voting began today showed the Remain campaign in the lead. Source: Sky News

With leading Brexiter Nigel Farage conceding defeat, we take a look at why the Leave campaign may have botched it.

Shares on both sides of the Atlantic rose overnight as investors awaited the outcome of the Brexit vote.

Oscar Pistorius has given his first television interview since killing Reeva Steenkamp saying he does doesn’t want to go to jail. Britons have been voting in a referendum on whether or not to stay in the European Union A New Zealander's mural of Prince has been unveiled in the musician's hometown of Chanhassen, Minnesota

Germany's Bild newspaper has played on friendly stereotypes in a last-ditch plea to Britons to stay in the European Union.

COMMENT: The New Zealand sharemarket has fallen away from record levels thanks to global investor fears about Britain potentially leaving the EU.

COMMENT: If the Brexodus does transpire, you know what we have to do. Build a wall. And make them pay for it, writes Toby Manhire.

Wellingtonian Matthew Plummer has sent in his "Leave" postal vote - one of thousands of Kiwis who will help decide the Brexit referendum.