Police Scotland U-turn after PM security plans named after fictional ‘fat, posh public schoolboy’

Police Scotland accused of calling plan to protect Boris Johnson ‘Operation Bunter’ after fictional ‘fat, posh English public schoolboy’ before U-turn over fears of a diplomatic incident

  • The force drew up security plans for Boris Johnson when he goes to Scotland
  • But ‘Bunter’ moniker was scrapped because of fears it would upset the PM
  • Billy Bunter is a greedy, overweight and obnoxious fictional public schoolboy 
  • Appeared in books, comics and even BBC television series over almost 60 years

Police Scotland was forced to retitle a plan to protect the Prime Minister after it was named after a ‘fat, posh English public schoolboy’, it was revealed today.

The force drew up Operation Bunter to outline security plans for Boris Johnson when he goes north of the border.

But the moniker was scrapped because of fears it would upset the PM and lead to a diplomatic incident because of the name’s origins, the Sun reported.

Billy Bunter is a greedy, overweight and obnoxious public schoolboy created by writer Frank Richards, the pen name of Charles Hamilton, in 1908.

He appeared in books, comics and even a BBC television series over almost 60 years. 

The character is an overweight teenager at Greyfriars School,  and a habitual liar who is full of his own self-importance. 

But his character flaws are offset by cheery optimism and occasional courage.

Mr Johnson holidayed in Scotland with his now wife Carrie last summer, and visited again in January. He is expected to visit the country for a break again, perhaps as early as this week.

A police source told the Sun: ‘The name ”Operation Bunter” was given to the preparations.

‘But several people pointed out the foolishness of calling it after a fat, posh English public schoolboy – not least given the PM is known for being a bit portly.’

The force drew up Operation Bunter to outline security plans for Boris Johnson when he goes north of the border.

Billy Bunter book cover

Billy Bunter cartoon

Billy Bunter is a greedy, overweight and obnoxious public schoolboy created by writer Frank Richards, the pen name of Charles Hamilton, in 1908.

The operation was later renamed ‘Aeration’ instead, they added.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Operational names are auto-generated by computer and can be changed if they are deemed to be inappropriate.’ 

It came as Nicola Sturgeon challenged Boris Johnson to attend face-to-face talks in Edinburgh later during his next visit.

Ms Sturgeon today extended an invitation to meet at Bute House if he does go to Scotland this week.

The Scottish First Minister said the talks would focus on the recovery from the coronavirus crisis.

She said that while she and Mr Johnson ‘differ politically’ the UK and Scottish governments ‘must work together where we can’.

The pandemic has been punctuated by repeated disagreements between Mr Johnson and Ms Sturgeon over how best to prevent infections and reopen society.

The invitation, made public by Ms Sturgeon in a post on Twitter, will inevitably spark speculation over whether she would use the meeting to challenge Mr Johnson on the issue of Scottish independence.

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