Paddington Bear given UK passport by Home Office
Paddington Bear given UK passport by Home Office
Government issues specimen document to Peruvian-born character, listing him as ‘Bear’ under its observations
He has been one of the UK’s favourite and most prominent refugees for two-thirds of a century. Now Paddington Bear – official name Paddington Brown – has been granted a British passport.
The co-producer of the latest Paddington film said the Home Office had issued the document to the fictional Peruvian-born character – listing for completeness the official observation that he is, in fact, a bear.
“We wrote to the Home Office asking if we could get a replica, and they actually issued Paddington with an official passport – there’s only one of these,” Rob Silva told Radio Times.
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He produced the document, complete with Paddington’s photo inside, adding: “You wouldn’t think the Home Office would have a sense of humour, but under official observations, they’ve just listed him as Bear.”
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I assume this is meant to be some cutesy publicity stunt or a reaffirmation of the UK identity?
It feels a bit misguided to me. In a time where thousands of people die trying to attain better living prospects in safer countries (and those that survive often end up exploited and 'illegal'), a fictional character is awarded the near-unattainable protection of a legal status because people are fond of it.
What message is conveyed here?People need a bit of fun from time to time. This seems lovely and did not cost an arm and a leg to pull off
What message is conveyed here?
That you shouldn't become upset over a children's fictional character.
I'm not upset. I'm just wondering why the choice was made to make legal status the focus of this undertaking
Initially they had a PR stunt in which he was deported to Rwanda, but the focus groups were not reacting very positively.
