Winnie can stay official
5 April 2000
Winnie can stay — official
By FWi staff
A HOME Office spokesman has dismissed as “mischievous” reports that the government is seeking to remove Winnie the pig from Parliament Square.
Winnie has become a celebrity in recent weeks, accompanying National Pig Association members holding a vigil in protest at the state of their industry.
In a written Commons answer, Home Office minister Charles Clarke said the use of Parliament Square required permission from the Royal Parks Agency.
He said this had not been given to the pig farmers.
The Express newspaper interpreted this answer as a heavy hint that Mr Clarke wanted Winnie and the pig farmers removed.
But the Home Office spokesman insisted that neither Mr Clarke nor the Royal Parks Agency had any current plans to remove Winnie.