'Offensive' Barbified posters of Tory MPs spotted at London bus stops have been ordered to be removed immediately by transport bosses.
The images – which feature Conservative politicians Suella Braverman, Rishi Sunak, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Priti Patel among others – are thought to have been put behind the glass advertising panels by anti-government protesters.
It seems as though they were first installed on the release date of Barbie in cinemas on Friday 21 July, the same week the Illegal Migration Bill was passed.
"These offensive adverts are not authorised by TfL or our advertising partner JCDecaux," a Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said, according to the Evening Standard.
"We have instructed our contractors to remove any of these posters found on our network immediately."
The government body also said it would investigate how those behind the posters were able to open the glass panels without breaking them, leaving the bus stop undamaged.
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As well as the Home Secretary, Prime Minister and MPs, the Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Lee Anderson also feature in the posters.
And as for what they say? Well, you might want to have a look yourself, but let's just say the phrase "This Barbie is..." and "This Ken is..." plastered over each of their faces doesn't finish as positively or magically as the likes of those issued for Dua Lipa or the film's cast, with the hashtag "#ThisBarbieIsAC*nt" also printed on each poster, which appear to focus on the party's approach to immigration.
As a reminder, the Home Office policy paper updated on Thursday 20 July states that the Illegal Migration Bill will change the law to make it "unambiguously clear that, if you enter the UK illegally, you should not be able to remain here" and instead "you will be detained and promptly removed either to your home country or to a safe country where any asylum claim will be considered" among other changes and strengthened detention powers.
The pictures of the politician Barbie posters on various bus stops in the capital – including in South and East London – were highlighted by campaign group LGSMigrants, a queer activist group that stands in solidarity with all migrants and refugees, via its Instagram and Twitter accounts on Friday.
The caption read: "Hi Barbie. Happy Barbie day everyone. This week not only marks the cinematic event of the summer, but the Illegal Immigration Bill also passed a few days ago and it looks as though someone has been doing some alternative promo.
"This government’s treatment of migrants and asylum seekers is an outrage that violates human rights and fails to protect those fleeing from persecution and conflict. It will make life even more dangerous for people on the move. It’s important to remember that serving cunt and being a cunt are two very different things.
"#ThisBarbieIsAC*nt."
While the posters clearly won't be up for much longer, it seems their point has definitely been made...
Hannah Millington is a journalist and writer who has covered everything from health to news to entertainment and all things lifestyle. She loves a morning croissant, evening documentary and good chat with her friends.
