PEN 15: The Number Plates The Sun Censored!

Near the end of 2005, The Sun declined to publish one of Regtransfers.co.uk’s advertisements – much to our surprise. They are usually only too happy for us to spend our money with them!

The advertisement in question was for personalised car number plates, and featured a large image of a number plate displaying the registration PEN 15. The Sun refused to publish the advert, saying it was unacceptable.

As we have pointed out again and again, PEN 15 is a genuine car registration issued by DVLA, and one that we are trying to sell. It is not a word, but a combination of letters and numbers. The Sun eventually printed the advert after we removed the large image and relegated the PEN 15 registration to a small text listing elsewhere on the page.

The intended focus of the advertisement on an important product was lost.

In November 2005 we wrote to The Sun’s editor and to their advertising department asking them to explain what was unacceptable about our ad. What we asked then, and (as they never replied) what we would still like to know, is to what aspect of The Sun’s policy did the original advert not conform?

What actually prompted this follow-up letter was the story in a subsequent issue of The Sun about a gentleman with unusually large genitalia. The article featured speculation about how various celebrities may compare. It did seem strange that a prominent story of this nature was published, yet our advert for a genuine, legal, car registration was banned.

If one logically considers The Sun’s treatment of the two items, the advert and the subsequent article, one immediately sees an apparent inconsistency in standards. Reluctantly, in the absence of the explanation we requested, Regtransfers.co.uk can only see The Sun’s position as a little hypocritical… and more than a little silly!

No matter. We continue to proudly display our PEN 15 for all to see. We are not at all ashamed of our fine and unique registration number.