Brexiteers hailed the decision to reintroduce the pre-1988 dark blue passport as symbolic of Britain’s newly regained sovereignty. The EU doesn’t require member countries to issue passports of any particular color.
Supporters of Britain’s planned exit from the European Union were in uproar on Thursday after reports emerged that a Franco-Dutch company had won a contract to manufacture Britain’s post-Brexit dark blue passports.
Two companies — Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto and British firm De La Rue — had been in the running to win the manufacturing contract for the new passports.
But De La Rue chief Martin Sutherland told BBC radio that the government had informed him De La Rue had lost out to Gemalto. British daily newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported Gemalto had undercut De La Rue’s bid by £50 million ($70 million, €58 million).
The British government said the companies had been told about its decision on Wednesday evening, but did not confirm that Gemalto was the winner.
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