UK GOVERNMENT civil servants have been instructed to stop using the word “Brexit” and instead only refer to “31 December 2020”.
A style guide for officials, published on the UK Government’s website, tells them they should only use the word Brexit when “providing historical context”.
The guide states: "You can use the term Brexit to provide historical context, but it's better to use specific dates where possible. For example, use 31 December 2020 rather than Brexit or when the UK left the EU."
The guide was reported as it emerged that under post-Brexit rules, UK citizens living in the EU would be banned from travelling through France to get to their home in another European nation.
READ MORE: What are the new Brexit rules coming in on January 1?
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which transports vehicle-carrying trains between Dover and Calais, said the decision was made by the French government.
The firm added that it is “unable to answer individual questions regarding the new requirements”, and advised passengers to visit the website of the French embassy in the UK - although its travel information has not been updated since December 20.
An SNP spokesperson commented: "Even the Tories are toiling to find ways to mask all the negatives associated with Brexit.
"Rest assured no grammatical spin will hide the fact that Brexit is damaging people, businesses, livelihoods, communities and the economy in Scotland each and every day.
"Only with the independence and rejoining the EU can Scotland protect itself from this Brexit nightmare."
READ MORE: Brexit misery to bite as new year set for spiralling costs, shortages and red tape
It comes after the Welsh government told their own civil servants to stop using the word "Brexit" too.
The Labour-led administration told their officials: "Brexit has happened. Use transition period to refer to the time between 1 February and 31 December 2020."
The guidelines also state that officials should say UK Government rather than HM Government.
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