Observed spectra and photometry of MWC 656 (blue) compared to the model SED and synthetic spectra. The composite model (red) is a weighted sum of the rapidly rotating Be star (brown) and the hot stripped companion star (green). The Gaia XP spectrum is overplotted in the top panel (black). The most notable features of the stripped companion are its contributions to the N V and He II lines. The infrared excess seen in the top panel originates in the circumstellar disc of the Be star. The narrow absorption lines in the UV and optical spectra result from interstellar absorption.