What's happened
Paddington Bear, the beloved fictional character, has been issued a British passport by the Home Office for the upcoming film 'Paddington in Peru.' While fans celebrate, critics highlight the irony amid ongoing issues with the UK's asylum policies. The film follows Paddington's journey to find his missing Aunt Lucy in Peru.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Ellie Muir in The Independent, the Home Office issued Paddington Bear an official passport, humorously listing him as 'Bear.' This gesture has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the light-heartedness while others criticize the government for its treatment of real asylum seekers. Kevin Rawlinson from The Guardian notes that Paddington has been a beloved refugee character for decades, emphasizing the irony of the situation given the current political climate surrounding immigration in the UK. Muir also highlights past protests involving Paddington's character, which further illustrate the ongoing debate about refugee policies.
How we got here
Paddington Bear, created in 1958, has long been a symbol of kindness and acceptance. The issuance of a passport for the character comes as part of the promotional efforts for the third film in the franchise, which explores themes of family and adventure.
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Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children's literature. He first appeared on 13 October 1958 in the children's book A Bear Called Paddington and has been featured in more than twenty books written by British author Michael Bond and illustrated
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