Facts

Cleverly, the Secretary of State for Education, claimed that British citizens could continue to enter France after Brexit as they could before Brexit. This would mean that not every passport would need to be checked and people could be waved through, as was the situation prior to Brexit.

However, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the EU classifies the UK as a third-country. This means that different rules apply for entry into the EU, and UK passports must be checked and stamped before entry to the EU. The Foreign state that passports must be showed and stamped to enter or exit the Schengen Area as a UK citizen.

Verdict

Cleverly was wrong in suggesting that pre-Brexit transport and border check protocol could continue to be followed. The UK’s third-country status means that passports must all be checked and stamped. 

We emailed James Cleverly's office offering him the chance to respond. The email was received, but no reply.