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‘You can’t have your cake and eat it’ - Organisers to burn Boris Johnson effigy
The Edenbridge Bonfire unveil their celebrity effigy of Boris Johnson ahead of their bonfire celebration in Edenbridge, Kent. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire - Credit: PA
The talent behind an effigy of Boris Johnson - complete with red Brexit bus shoes and holding EU cake - have an important message for the foreign secretary.
The Edenbridge Bonfire Society chose the identity of its celebrity Guy, saying the 'blundering' ex-foreign secretary was the top choice owing to his 'continuing habit' of hitting the headlines with 'never-ending gaffes'.
Every year the Kent society picks an infamous public figure to poke fun at during its celebrations.
The 36ft effigy will go up in flames alongside a traditional figure of Guy Fawkes.
The Fireworks Society chairman Bill Cummings said: 'Our message to Mr Johnson is that you cannot have your cake and eat it.'
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He added: 'We hope Mr Johnson will appreciate the humour contained in our caricature and take it in the good spirit with which it is intended.'
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The giant replica of Johnson is wearing Hawaiian-style boxer shorts with a tight-fitting blue jacket, mismatched socks and a cycle helmet.
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He is holding a cake decorated in the style of the EU flag, from which he has taken a Union flag-coloured slice.
By his feet are depictions of the red Brexit buses which claimed Britain sent £350 million a week to the EU which could be used to fund the NHS.
Members of Edenbridge Bonfire Society unveil their celebrity effigy of Boris Johnson ahead of their bonfire celebration in Edenbridge, Kent. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire - Credit: PA
He is also wearing a rosette symbolising 90 years since the society was founded.
Artist Andrea Deans, who painted the creation, said: 'As with last year there were many strong contenders for this year's celebrity Guy, particularly in the political world.
'This year Boris was the obvious option, plus he's great to caricature and I've wanted to paint him for a long time.'
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Last year Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein was the standout pick after a string of allegations of sexual assault on female employees and movie stars emerged.
In 2016 Donald Trump was the 'overwhelming choice' for the steel-framed model, made days before the then Republican US presidential candidate went head-to-head with Democrat Hillary Clinton and won the election.
In 2015 a model of scandal-hit former Fifa president Sepp Blatter was burned.
More than 10,000 people attend the annual event, with families visiting from London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
The Edenbridge Bonfire unveil their celebrity effigy of Boris Johnson ahead of their bonfire celebration in Edenbridge, Kent. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire - Credit: PA
The Edenbridge Bonfire unveil their celebrity effigy of Boris Johnson ahead of their bonfire celebration in Edenbridge, Kent. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire - Credit: PA
The Edenbridge Bonfire unveil their celebrity effigy of Boris Johnson ahead of their bonfire celebration in Edenbridge, Kent. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire - Credit: PA
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