Would you believe it? According to European Union procurement rules, United Kingdom’s Home Office is obligated to open the bidding process for making the country’s passports to any European business that might be interested. The office also mentioned that the passports don’t have to be made in the UK, with black covers already being procured from overseas.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Gemalto is the new entrant that undercut the price of the previous manufacturer, De La Rue, a UK-based company. Since the announcement, share prices of De La Rue have fallen by around 5%.
Pro-Brexit former cabinet minister Priti Patel called the decision “perverse” and “disgraceful”. Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat's Brexit spokesman said, “The blue passport saga is turning into a farce”.