All mentions of ‘European Union’ scratched from latest British passports
Britain has missed its Brexit deadline, the Westminster parliament is a sea of confusion and the nation remains divided about leaving Europe or remaining part of it.
But the nation’s passport authority has already moved on: British passports issued since March 29 have already done away with any and all references to the bloc.
“I was just surprised: We’re still members of the EU,” Susan Hindle Barone told the Press Association news agency after noticing the change and tweeting a snap of the old and new passports side by side.
It’s removed on the inside too. No mention of the EU anywhere
— SusanHB 🕷 (@SHBarone) April 5, 2019
According to the British interior ministry, individual passports could still bear the words “European Union” on the front cover, as old stocks are being used up.
Once Britain has left the EU, the old passports will no longer be issued.
Both passports are valid, the ministry said in a statement, adding that citizens cannot choose whether they would like the words included or not.
By the end of the year, all passports will revert from the current burgundy to dark blue, the colour of British passports before they became aligned with other EU member states.
Britain was supposed to leave the EU on March 29, but requested a delay after parliament failed to approve a divorce deal the British government had negotiated with Brussels to minimise disruptions.
At present, Britain’s exit date is April 12, although EU member states are mulling a new extension request by British Prime Minister Theresa May.
Mrs May has asked for a delay until June 30, while European Council President Donald Tusk has proposed a one-year flexible extension.