Brexit campaigners furious as blue passports could be made in GERMANY after we leave EU
BREXIT campaigners have reacted with fury after it emerged the UK's passports could made in Germany after we leave the EU.
Tory MP Mark Pritchard discusses production of British passports
After quitting the bloc in 2019, the UK will ditch the hated burgundy passport it was forced to adopt by the EU three decades ago.
The Government is set to re-introduce the iconic dark blue design as a powerful symbol of Britain's independence from Brussels.
But Tory MP Mark Pritchard today raised fears a Berlin-based company could win the right to redesign the travel document.
During a session in the House of Commons, the patriotic backbencher called for a debate on the matter.
He said: "Does the Leader of the House share my concern that the new British passport from 2019, a black passport not a purple passport, could be designed and printed in Germany.
"Made in Berlin, rather than made in Britain."
Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, who was part of the successful Vote Leave campaign, appeared to dodge Mr Pritchard's question.
She replied: "What I can say to him is that we all support the UK's stance as a global free trading nation.
"At the same time we recognise that Britain has a huge amount to offer in terms of our manufacturing, our food, drink and all manner of services that we provide to the world.
"We can compete on a level playing field."
British security company De La Rue are currently in charge of designing the UK's passports.
But their contract is due to expire in 2019, meaning companies based outside the UK could take over the job.
Two foreign firms, believed to be German and French, have reportedly made the Home Office's shortlist for the contract.
It would be ludicrous if our passports were made in Europe
Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, head of Parliament's Flags and Heraldry Committee, previously described the EU-designed document as a "source of humiliation".
He also urged the Government to hire a UK company rather than one based in Berlin or Paris.
He said: "I want to see the new British passport manufactured in Britain in a British factory employing British people, because if it is not it rather defeats the objective of upholding British identity."
Fellow Eurosceptic MP Andrew Bridgen added: "While I want to see the Government achieving the best value for money, it would be ludicrous if our passports were made in Europe."
The popular navy passport was first introduced in 1920.
But it was replaced by Brussels' uniform burgundy design in 1988, with "European Community" emblazoned on the front.
The phrase was replaced by "European Union" in 1993, after the Maastricht Treaty was signed to create the modern-day EU.