'Utter garbage!' SNP accuse Westminster of 'cultural appropriation' over Beano poster
An image of the controversial billboard
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An SNP MP has accused Rishi Sunak’s Government of “cultural appropriation” amid a fresh row over the origin of Beano’s Dennis the Menace.
Chris Law, who was first elected as the MP for Dundee West in 2015, pointed out the comic strip was born in the City of Discovery.
Law was frustrated after a new UK Government billboard campaign featured Dennis and Gnasher.
The poster was accompanied with a slogan which said: “Created in London, unleashed in more than 100 countries.”
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Dennis the Menace, a mischievous boy brought to life in 1951, was created in Dundee by George Moonie.
Law complained: “Utter garbage from the UK Government.
“Dundee City created Dennis the Menace and Gnasher by publishers DX Thomsons.
“Cultural appropriation is a desperate measure to claim credibility.”
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Chris Law of the SNP being sworn in as the MP for Dundee West in the House of Commons
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Gerry Hassan, a political commentator supporting independence, added: “As a proud Dundonian and long-time reader of The Beano as a kid, this is incomprehensible, insulting and predictable.”
Joe Fitzpatrick, the SNP MSP for Dundee West, also complained: “Attempting to claim that Dennis the Menace, one of Dundee’s greatest exports, was created in London is quite embarrassing for the UK Government.
“The hard work and creativity that went into creating this character — which has brought endless joy to people the world over — should be credited solely to the brilliant work of DC Thomson and The Beano.”
Dennis' Scottish roots also include sketcher David Law who drew him in a bar near St Andrews following a golfing trip.
Chris Law of the SNP being sworn in as the MP for Dundee West in the House of Commons
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However, the animated spin-off series Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! is made by Beano Studios and Jellyfish Pictures, both of which are headquartered in London.
Dennis also speaks with a southern English accent and is voiced by London-born actor Freddie Fox.
Mike Stirling, the Dundee-based creative director of The Beano, said of the city of provenance row: “Every issue of The Beano is created for kids across the UK and the world in Dundee, the home town of the comic.
“Our CGI-animated series, Dennis and Gnasher: Unleashed! was created in London, bringing Beano mischief to children all around the world since 2017.”