Boris Johnson: Grimsby Town hat worn by ex-PM prompts petition

Former Boris Johnson is facing criticism for wearing a hat with the initials of Grimsby Town Football Club

An online petition has been raised to stop Boris Johnson sporting Grimsby Town FC hats in public.

The former prime minister was spotted wearing a 'GTFC' bobble hat as he left the Covid inquiry on Thursday.

Petition organiser John Dale accused Mr Johnson of bringing the Lincolnshire town into "serious disrepute".

However, on Friday fans outside Blundell Park, the home of the Mariners, did not appear to have a problem with his choice of headwear.

Grimsby Town fans cheering on their beloved Mariners

A note accompanying the petition, which by lunchtime on Friday had been signed by 423 people, states the hat is worn by fans of "the highly-respected" football club.

Mr Dale points out Mr Johnson has no formal connection to the club, accusing him of using Grimsby "to add lustre and glamour to his own shattered life".

He adds: "He is also bringing Grimsby into serious disrepute. This petition asks that Johnson stops wearing the hat and adopts [a] hat more suited to his lowly status eg MUFC."

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Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside in the club shop, Steven Douglas said he would not be signing the petition.

He explained: "Any advertisement for Grimsby Town is good advertisement.

"All people will do is look at the hat. They will say, 'why has he got GTFC on it?' Brilliant. That's more advertisement for the town."

Grimsby Town fan Steven Douglas thinks the hat is a good advert for the town

Another fan, Alistair Smith agreed, adding Mr Johnson's choice of winter accessory was "absolutely superb".

The hat is reported to be one of two gifted to Mr Johnson by Great Grimsby's Tory MP, Lia Nici, an avid supporter of the former prime minister.

After his resignation she declared he had "done more for Grimsby in generations, if ever".

Mr Johnson has this week faced hours of questioning over his handling of the pandemic.

On Thursday, he insisted he did not pursue a "let it rip" strategy during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the second day of questioning, he denied he had been reluctant to lock down a second time because he was prepared to let older people die to keep the economy open.