He began erasing the words "European Union" from citizens' passports.

The UK Home Office has confirmed that some passports issued from March 30th onwards no longer bear the words "European Union" (EU), following a decision made in 2017. However, the agency stated that some newly issued travel documents will retain the EU name to save costs.

March 29th was originally set as the date for the UK's departure from the EU, also known as Brexit. However, this process is being delayed after the British Parliament repeatedly rejected the Brexit agreement proposed by Prime Minister Theresa May. The EU has extended the deadline for the UK to ratify the agreement to April 12th.

"We will continue to issue passports with the words 'European Union' for a short period after that date. Citizens will not be able to choose between a passport with the words 'European Union' and one without that inscription," the Home Office wrote in a statement, emphasizing that there is no difference between the two types of passports.

Meanwhile, some British citizens were shocked to receive their new passports because, in fact, Britain had not yet left the EU. "I assumed I would still be issued my old passport. It's nothing serious, but it's the first sign that we are leaving the EU," Susan Hindle Barone wrote on Twitter after receiving her new passport without the words "European Union."

The UK held a referendum in June 2016, with 52% of voters supporting leaving the EU. In November 2018, the European Union accepted London's Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on future EU-UK relations. The conflict between Prime Minister May and the British Parliament is increasing the likelihood of the UK leaving the EU without any agreement being passed.