UK company to appeal over passport contract

British manufacturer De La Rue is preparing to appeal against the Government’s decision to award the £490million contract for the postbrexit blue passport to a Franco-dutch company.

The company said last night that it was taking the first steps to appeal on the grounds that it offered the better deal on quality and security. A De La Rue spokesman said: “It’s our view that ours was the highest quality and technically most secure bid.”

The Telegraph last month revealed that European firm Gemalto was set to win the contract in a move which infuriated Brexiteers. Ministers said it would save taxpayers £120million.