Stop being a big Toftie, Beano tells Rees-Mogg
TORY toff Jacob Rees-Mogg says he is honoured to be compared with lookalike Beano character Walter the Softy.
But he insists that Walter is much more Rambo-like than he is.
The Brexit-backing MP was yesterday issued with a tongue-in-cheek legal warning by bosses at the children’s comic for “copying” the character’s appearance.
The 48-year-old is accused of modelling his hair, dress sense, distinctive round glasses and snootiness on Walter, the arch-nemesis of Dennis the Menace.
But the North East Somerset MP took it as a compliment.
He told the Daily Express: “I am very flattered. No, honoured. Compared to me, Walter is a Rambo-esque character and certainly the real deal, especially as far as my children are concerned.
“I would certainly not be bold enough to emulate Walter.
“I was an avid Beano reader as a child, although I always found Dennis the Menace the most interesting character.”
Mr Rees-Mogg was issued with a “cease and desist” letter by Beano Studios, warning him about impersonating Walter.
Mike Stirling, head of Beano Studios, Scotland, said: “We were flattered when we discovered that Jacob Rees-Mogg has dedicated his life to impersonating one of my favourite Beano characters, young Walter.”
Walter made his first appearance in Beano in 1953 as Dennis’s neighbour and is depicted as a clever and cunning nemesis who connives to get Dennis into trouble.
Old Etonian Mr ReesMogg has supported the Daily Express’s successful campaign to get Britain out of the EU and has become a persistent thorn in Theresa May’s side over the details of Brexit.
In Parliament the father of six is affectionately known as the “honourable member for the 18th century” because of his clipped English accent, distinctive side-parting and double-breasted blazers.