European security

New 'Brexit' poll shows Brits leaning toward leaving, hits markets

A new poll that shows a majority of British people in favor of leaving the European Union hit foreign exchange and stock markets on Friday.

The data in London newspaper The Independent showed that 55 percent believe Britain should leave the EU, versus 45 percent who favored staying. The publication said it marked the largest portion of respondents who favored exiting since research firm ORB began polling the issue for it last year.

Britain will hold a referendum on EU membership on June 23. Some British officials including Prime Minister David Cameron have argued that departing the European Union will disrupt the British economy.

The pound fell against the euro following the news, hitting session lows and last trading down 1 percent. It also hit session lows against the dollar and was last down about 1.5 percent. The United Kingdom, while a member of the European Union, is not a member of the euro zone currency bloc.