Business Diary: O'Leary vents his spleen – again

Ryanair's half-year press conference yesterday was the usual foul-mouthed stand-up show from its combative chief executive, Michael O'Leary, with the Government coming in for a pasting as usual. Gordon Brown is "economically incompetent" and New Labour are "clowns" were among the more printable of the insults.

Ryanair flight to Copenhagen anyone?

Mr O'Leary doesn't have much time for the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen either. "Copenhagen is just a talking shop for imbeciles," he said. "I wouldn't cross the road to Copenhagen to listen to lots of failed politicians waffle. What Gordon Brown knows about climate change I know about flying Concorde: nothing."

How to get BA back onside with the unions

As for Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, Ryanair's boss reckons he is "probably doomed". Mr O'Leary would love the job himself, he adds, and has tactical advice for Mr Walsh in his negotiations with the unions, who are threatening to strike over, among other things, BA's £6.5m-a-year bill for staff meals. "I'd tell them to fuck off and buy their own lunches, like everyone else."

Swine flu isn't bad news for everyone

The medical community has been very careful not to overhype the swine flu story since the number of cases began growing again in the autumn. Not so Twenga, however. The online search engine for shoppers reckons swine flu plays into its hands – it claims its research shows two in three Britons plan to do more internet shopping in the run-up to Christmas, so terrified are they by the prospect of falling sick.

The bankers who will bite back like Seals

Be careful next time you're tempted to insult a banker. the City is fighting back against the opprobrium directed its way since the credit crunch. Tim Larkin, once a US navy Seal, did a roaring trade with a series of self-defence classes for financial types earlier this year – he really does teach you how to kill with your bare hands – and another series of seminars is planned.

Number of the day: £1.14m

The pay packet of Channel 4 director Kevin Lygo last year, making him the UK's best-paid public sector worker.