François Mitterrand: Tonton [Uncle] (the codename used by the French Secret Service in charge of his protection)

MITTERAND as ‘UNCLE’ - isn’t that a JAMES BOND reference?

No it’s not: THE MAN FROM UNCLE…wasn’t that a US TV series? Starring David McCallum or somebody like that…a British actor….

I am beginning to see why my father loves this magazine so much - as much as he loves PRIVATE EYE.

“The "Plumbers' affair"
On December 3 1973, policemen of the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DST), disguised as plumbers, were caught trying to install a spy microphone in the directorial office of Le Canard. The resulting scandal forced Interior Minister Raymond Marcellin to leave the government, though it is said that Marcellin was a scapegoat for other members of the government, especially the Defense Minister, who was intent on knowing the identities of informers for the newspaper.”

Yes - who says that only BI are hilarious?