The key facts

  • Brad Lander-Sigal challenged the British on X amid news of attempts to bring Winnie-the-Pooh back
  • According to The Washington Post, Tony Blair and David Cameron tried to return the toy from the US in different years
  • The bear is kept at the New York Public Library along with Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and Kanga

Manhattan President Responds to Demands to Return Winnie-the-Pooh

Manhattan Borough President in New York, Brad Lander-Sigal, addressed residents of the United Kingdom on X amid news of attempts by British prime ministers to return the original Winnie-the-Pooh. He posted an image of a plush bear captioned: 'Come and take it.'

Attempts to Return the Toy Have Continued for Decades

On October 15, The Washington Post reported that former British prime ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron had in different years tried to bring back from the US the plush bear that inspired writer Alan Alexander Milne to create the book about Winnie-the-Pooh. Despite the efforts of British politicians, the toy remains at the New York Public Library.

Other Toys of Christopher Robin Are Also Kept in New York

Besides the bear, New York also holds the toys that belonged to Milne's son Christopher Robin: Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and Kanga. According to the outlet, the question of returning them to the UK was repeatedly discussed by both British and American politicians. As early as 1998, British parliamentarians insisted on returning Winnie-the-Pooh to his homeland, but in New York the idea was met with objections.