Hey, any of you lot looking for a laugh? The bloke who invented the new £5 bill has called vegetarians and vegans 'stupid' for lashing out after news broke that the polymer banknote contained traces of animal fat.
Vegans and veggies alike vented their anger at the use of the fat, known as tallow, in the new currency, which was actually first designed by Professor David Solomon back in 1988. Now, that same prof has fought back.
"It's stupid. It's absolutely stupid," Solomon told Aussie radio station 2GB.
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"There's trivial amounts of it in there."
It's a contrast to the Bank of England's sentiment, which said on Wednesday that it was "aware of some people's concerns" and would treat them with the "utmost respect." They are currently planning "potential solutions."
A small victory for vegans.
Smells like bourguignon. David Solomon. Image: Wikipedia
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Solomon, however, argued that his polymer fiver was beneficial for consumers in various ways, including pro-green means of production.
"It picks up less drugs than paper notes and you don't chop down trees," he said.
"It's more hygienic than a paper note by a long way."
FWIW, here's an article explaining just how much tallow is used in the new notes.
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If that isn't enough for all my veggie and vegan brothers and sisters out there, then listen up: if you can't bear to possess or use your own £5 notes, feel free to visit my Twitter right here and we'll arrange for me to pick them up.
Mark Carney is getting some beef for the new fiver. Featured image credit: PA
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