Leading Remainers say they will REFUSE to ‘use or accept’ Brexit 50p coin

Leading Remainers have vowed never to use or accept the government’s new commemorative Brexit 50p coin.

Approximately three million of the coins are due to begin entering circulation on Friday as part of efforts to formally mark the UK’s departure from the European Union. 

The coins, bearing the words ‘peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’ as well as the Brexit date of January 31, 2020, have sparked a furious backlash among pro-EU campaigners. 

Lord Adonis, a Labour peer who has consistently fought to reverse Brexit, tweeted: ‘I am never using or accepting this coin.’ 

Meanwhile, Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, echoed a similar sentiment as he said he will ask shops for alternatives to the coin if he is handed one in the future. 

Lord Adonis, a Labour peer and pro-EU campaigner, has vowed never to use the Brexit 50p

He tweeted: ‘I for one shall be asking shopkeepers for “two 20p pieces and a 10” if they offer me a 50p coin pretending that Brexit is about “peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” given it puts all three at risk.’ 

Some pro-EU social media users urged people to deface the coins with Remainer graffiti while others advocated keeping and never spending them in order to take them permanently out of circulation. 

Others suggested the creation of the coins would be beneficial for charities because many Remain-backers would rather give them away than keep them.

The coin was officially unveiled by Chancellor Sajid Javid. He had originally ordered production of the celebratory coins in advance of the original Brexit divorce date of October 31 last year. 

The Brexit delay meant about a million coins had to be melted down and the metal put aside until the new exit date was confirmed.

Mr Javid said: ‘Leaving the European Union is a turning point in our history and this coin marks the beginning of this new chapter.’

Approximately three million Brexit coins will enter circulation across the UK on Friday with a further seven million to be rolled out later this year. 

Alastair Campbell, the former Labour spin doctor, said he would ask for different change if a shop ever gives him one of the commemorative coins

Mr Javid, who is Master of the Mint, was given the first batch of coins, and will present one to Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, this week.

As part of the launch of the coin, the Royal Mint will open its doors for 24 hours to let people strike their own commemorative Brexit coins.

The European Parliament is expected to vote to approve the Withdrawal Agreement on Wednesday, after the PM signed the treaty on Friday, paving the way for the UK to leave on January 31.