Accepted the position, as it happened (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

took place

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'as it happened' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'accepted the position' is the wordplay.
'accepted' becomes 'took' (take can mean to accept something).
'the position' becomes 'place' (place is a kind of position).
'took'+'place'='TOOK PLACE'

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I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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