The Express newspaper posted a story on Thursday which included a Monty Python line as part of the design, leading to widespread roasting online.
The paper, which backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, posted a story showing the existing burgundy passport which includes the "European Union" title in full behind the proposed future blue passport which is emblazoned with "Your mother was a hamster" on the front, seemingly unknown to the publisher.
One twitter user spotted the mistake and immediately took to social media to show everyone the unfortunate mistake.
OMFG I'm pissing myself laughing
— Michael Szydlo (@MichaelSzydlo) January 23, 2020
LOOK WHAT PHOTO OF THE 'BLUE PASSPORT' THEY USED 🤣 pic.twitter.com/s6Ol6Fekg3
The quote comes from Monty Python and the holy grail, a classic satire movie from 1975.
It turns out the Monty Python team were behind this particular edit, while twitter users were promoting their own designs following the blue passport announcement in 2018.
Draft design for the new UK passport post-Brexit. Made in France. #montypython #brexit #aprilfools pic.twitter.com/MJ3kcX7efl
— Monty Python (@montypython) April 1, 2018
Other netizens immediately joined in with the joke, saying that Brits will be informing everyone as they travel their their mother is in fact a hamster.
I love that all UK citizens who travel, will be letting the world know that beneath the lion & unicorn, mother hamsters and the smell of elderberries, will forever guide them where ‘er they may go!
— Wendell G. McMurrain (@wmcmurra) April 2, 2018
Some posted Monty Python memes in response.
— Alex Landherr (@AlexLandherr) April 2, 2018
There were users who seemed fond of the idea however.
I would move to England just to get that cover for my passport
— Paul Dustin (@SkaDragon737) April 4, 2018
The article reported on the government announcement that the blue passports will be available for Brits come the 2020 summer holidays.
