Paul Simon's name changed to Simon Paul after government database confuses forename and surname

Paul Simon is currently having to fight government officials for the right to use his real name. A recent passport application went awry as the government's database decided to invert his forename and surname, presumably in an automated cock-up that truly up-cocked his given name. The government has been relatively recalcitrant thus far, however, and the struggle is looking to continued for some time.

"It's ridiculous," said Simon's representative, Terry Thomas. "It could happen to anyone, I guess, but the fight just to get them to accept responsibility for the name change is rather ridiculous. They're actually demanding that we contact the BMI and have albums re-printed with the new name, so as to prevent any possible confusion."

The situation appears to have happened when an automated algorithm intended to detect when people have filled in forms incorrectly, placing information into the wrong boxes. Paul Simon's representative, Thomas Terry, continued telling us:

"It might even be funny if he wasn't a huge star. If it happened to me, I guess I'd get over it. I suppose we could always change him name for PR purposes to something like The Artist Formerly Known As Paul Simon. What could go wrong?"

The government has yet to respond to claims that it is a silly thing.