THE BOSS of the British factory which lost the contract for the blue passports demands Theresa May explains to his workers why “it's a sensible decision to offshore the manufacture of a British icon".

De La Rue chief Martin Sutherland wants the PM and Amber Rudd to come and meet his staff in Gateshead after EU rules mean Gemalto won the bidding process to manufacture the documents.

He said the announcement, was "disappointing and surprising" after it was condemned by Brexiteers as “a national humiliation”.

Mr Sutherland said: "I think we have heard over the last few weeks and months ministers are more than happy to talk about the fact that the blue passport is an icon of British identity.

"Now this icon of British identity is going to be manufactured in France."

He said his firm had been producing passports for the UK for the last 10 years "without a single hiccup" but had been "undercut on price" and would appeal against the decision.

Referring to the Gateshead staff, he said: "I'm going to have to go and face those workers, look at them in the whites of the eyes and try and explain to them why the British government thinks it's a sensible decision to buy French passports not British passports."

He added: "I would actually like to invite Theresa May or Amber Rudd to come to my factory and explain to my dedicated workforce why they think this is a sensible decision to offshore the manufacture of a British icon."

Because it's cheaper.

£120 million cheaper according to the news.

But why wasn't the UK bidder asked to match the price? Standard business practice.

Originally Posted by dexie

£120 million cheaper according to the news.

But why wasn't the UK bidder asked to match the price? Standard business practice.

I doubt that's legal when tendering for taxpayer funded contracts.

This chap boasted that he makes passports for dozens of countries. Why isn't he insisting that those countries should make their own 'iconic' passports? Why does he bid for their business if he considers it an affront to have foreign made passports?

I think he was stupidly confident to win the bid on the grounds that his is the only British company that manufactures such items, and the toys are flying out of the pram now he's failed.

Originally Posted by dexie

£120 million cheaper according to the news.

But why wasn't the UK bidder asked to match the price? Standard business practice.

It is?



£120,000,000 for who?
They claim the tax payer!
Are we now getting our passports free?

Originally Posted by Toodles McGinty

This chap boasted that he makes passports for dozens of countries. Why isn't he insisting that those countries should make their own 'iconic' passports? Why does he bid for their business if he considers it an affront to have foreign made passports?

I think he was stupidly confident to win the bid on the grounds that his is the only British company that manufactures such items, and the toys are flying out of the pram now he's failed.

Agreed, He has very double standards.

Vive la difference

De La Rue printed British passports in Malta anyway.