Beano accuses Rees-mogg of stealing ‘softy’ Walter’s style
HIS cut-glass accent and fondness for double-breasted jackets have earned him a reputation for being the “honourable member for the 18th century”.
But now Jacob Rees-mogg, the prominent Conservative backbencher, has been warned he faces legal action after the popular comic The Beano accused him of impersonating one of its most well-known characters, Walter the Softy.
In a Dennis the Menace publicity stunt, Beano Studios has written to Mr Rees-mogg alleging that his traditional style and debonair manner breaches its copyright agreement for Walter.
In a “cease and desist” letter, Mike Stirling, the head of Beano’s operations in Scotland, claimed that Mr Reesmogg was guilty of mimicking everything from Walter’s hair parting through to his vintage apparel and appreciation for classical music. He added: “It is evident that there are numerous instances whereby you have adopted trademarked imagery and brand essences of the character to the benefit of enhancing your career and popularity.
“We firmly request that you cease and desist in your ongoing impersonation of the character, which remains the exclusive property of Beano Studios. A swift response on this matter would be greatly appreciated to avoid getting Teacher involved.”
In a light-hearted response, Mr Rees-mogg said: “Compared to me, Walter the Softy is a Rambo-like figure whom I would not be bold enough to emulate. I am flattered to be accused by the Beano’s legal eagles of imitating Walter the Softy whose powerful physical prowess is so much greater than my own.”
Mr Stirling said that the similarities between Walter and Mr Rees-mogg had been pointed out by young readers of the comic. He said it was clear that Walter had devised his trademark style first, as he first appeared in The Beano in 1953, 16 years before Mr Rees-mogg was born.
Well done to The Beano for giving us all a laugh in these gloomy times. The comic celebrated its 80th birthday by threatening to take legal action against the Conservative MP Jacob Rees-mogg for infringing their copyright. They said he had modelled himself on Walter the Softy in the “Dennis the Menace” strip and “firmly request that you cease and desist in your ongoing impersonation of the character, which remains the exclusive property of Beano Studios”. They picked on the right politician for their stunt, since Mr Reesmogg took it all in good heart and was happy to see the funny side (and how could he not without being denounced as a humourless stick-in-the-mud?). But anyone who thinks the Somerset MP is a softy has clearly not been paying attention to politics recently. Too busy reading comics, presumably.