British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been sharply criticized after allegedly instructing the Chinese ambassador to London to tidy up Wimbledon Common. The Beijing government has lodged an official protest. The prime minister's spokesman has yet to respond, but it is believed that Johnson mistook the Chinese ambassador for a litter-collecting womble.
Opposition MPs were quick to attack the prime minister. Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, said "It's another example of Tory arrogance and racism, likening innocent foreigners to made-up characters from children's books."
SNP leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, said, "Boris has a long history of insulting people. He must apologise." He was referring to a comment Johnson made to an aide in private, when he described Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as "wee Jimmy Kranky".
Wombles are short, furry creatures with long noses, that live underground, and only come out during the day to collect rubbish. They are very clever at making things with their hands, and at staying hidden, and they love to spy on us big folk.
One anthropologist commented "Especially with the coronovirus, many Chinese people, including the ambassador, have taken to wearing face masks so as not to contract the virus. They not only look like wombles, but they act like them as well, with their obsession on building things and spying on the West. It's hardly surprising that Boris mistook one of them for a womble."
Famous wombles include Orinoco, Bungo, Wellington, Great Uncle Bulgaria and Mike Batt.
The Chinese ambassador has strongly denied being a womble.
