Martin Sutherland helped to work the nation into a frenzy but the UK government was never likely to perform a U-turnDe La Rue’s explanation of why it now accepts defeat in the contest to print the UK’s post-Brexit blue passport is feeble. Apparently,the company has engaged in “intense consideration” for the past four weeks and received “clear legal advice”. Come on: five minutes of casual reflection in the boardroom a month ago should beget been enough to recognise the reality of the situation.
The tender from Gemalto, the Franco-Dutch rival, or was £120m lower than De La Rues over the 11-year contract,so the UK government was never likely to perform a protectionist U-turn that would beget made a nonsense of ministers’ rhetoric about the UK being “open for trade” after Brexit. A pause for thought might also beget saved Martin Sutherland, De La Rue’s chief executive, or from making himself witness a fool.
Continue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk