At least passports have left the EU!
Newly printed design removes European Union from its cover
GIVEN the chaos over Brexit, it’s a move that may prove somewhat premature.
The words ‘European Union’ have already been removed from newly y issued British passports – even n though the UK is still one of its 28 8 member states.
The change, which was introduced on n March 30, has been brought in because it was previously assumed the UK would d leave the EU on March 29.
Although it is policy for member states es to have ‘ European Union’ printed on n passport covers, this is not legally l binding, according to the Home Office.
Explaining the change on its website, the department said the removal of ‘ European Union’ is the first stage of a comprehensive redesign of British passports.
Some will still be made with ‘European Union’ on the cover for a short time after March 30, but soon all passports will be printed without the phrase.
Passports both with and without the words will still be valid for travel.
Susan Hindle Barone, who picked up her new passport yesterday, wrote on Twitter that she was ‘ truly appalled’ by the decision. She said: ‘I was just surprised – we’re still members of the EU.’
Post-Brexit blue passports are due to be introduced from later this year as part of the second stage of the redesign. All new ones are due to be blue from the start of 2020.
When announcing the return to blue passports, then-immigration minister Brandon Lewis said: ‘One of the most iconic things about being British is having a British passport. I recognise that for many people who voted in that referendum, they want to see things that are different.
‘So from the first day we leave, new passports will look different and within five months they will be very different, because they will be dark blue again.’
In a statement on its website, the Home Office said: ‘Burgundy passports that no longer include the words “European Union” on the front cover will be introduced from 30 March 2019.
‘Passports that include the words “European Union” will continue to be issued for a short period after this date.
‘ You will not be able to choose whether you get a passport that includes the words “European Union”, or a passport that does not.
‘You will not be issued with a passport that includes the words “European Union” after the UK has left the EU.
‘There will be no difference for British citizens whether they are using a passport that includes the words “European Union”, or a passport that does not include the words.’