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Posted: 2019-09-12T13:22:32Z | Updated: 2019-09-12T13:22:32Z

Eagle-eyed readers of Britains Guardian newspaper spotted a secret political message in its cryptic crossword on Thursday.

The letters on the top and bottom lines spelled out Bollocks to Brexit a phrase used to criticize the United Kingdoms June 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union.

Kevin Maguire, an associate editor at the papers rival, Daily Mirror, shared a photo of the genius puzzle, set by a contributor called Philistine, on Twitter:

BOLLOCKS TO BREXIT message in the top and bottom lines of todays Guardian cryptic crossword is genius by setter Philisitne. My brainy comrade @JBeattieMirror completed it but Ive left squares blank to avoid running ithe fun completely for other geeks pic.twitter.com/jcJWkkQjIl

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BOLLOCKS TO BREXIT message in the top and bottom lines of todays Guardian cryptic crossword is genius by setter Philisitne. My brainy comrade @JBeattieMirror completed it but Ive left squares blank to avoid running ithe fun completely for other geeks pic.twitter.com/jcJWkkQjIl

Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) September 12, 2019

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The Guardian did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on the crossword, which also appeared on the publications website .