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.

…

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.”

  • witty_username@feddit.nl
    0·
    17 days ago

    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?