It looks like that polar research ship won't be called Boaty McBoatface after all

A campaign to name a polar research ship Boaty McBoatface may be heading for the rocks, after a British government minister said he wanted something that "captures the spirit of scientific endeavour".

Science minister Jo Johnson said that the public had come up with some "very imaginative" suggestions for names, which would all be "reviewed".

But his comment left no doubt that he does not regard himself as bound to follow the results of an internet poll.