Quotes of the Day - 13 October 2008

"The raised magician" - How the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche described Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he tackles the financial crisis.

"All I've done in the last few weeks is lose money. Politics and making policy is far more interesting to me than the business of business" - Former Tory Chancellor Lord (Norman) Lamont.

"The days of private good and public bad are over. The credibility of the banking and finance industry has crumbled before our eyes" - Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

"I always thought she's a bad joke, but I always thought it was a colossal misjudgment of John McCain's to appoint her as his running mate because she's not even borderline competent" - Sir Salman Rushdie on Sarah Palin.

"I wasn't drunk. It is just that I do get into conditions where my feet need assistance" - The Marquess of Bath who has just broken his leg.

"I think people are fed up with the credit crunch and bankers playing Russian roulette with our money" - Cricket legend Sir Ian Botham.

"No matter how bad the credit crunch news, there is always Robert Peston to explain it. He should be taken into public ownership" - Impressionist Rory Bremner.

"Get gardening. Go out to the allotment or back garden and remember that nature is consistent and true and doesn't betray you" - Actress Dame Helen Mirren on how to deal with the financial crisis.

"I am not an athlete, although I have always enjoyed keeping fit between bouts of minor alcoholism" - James Bond star Daniel Craig.

"The secret is not to get swept up by fame. I've seen a lot of kids get caught up in it, who think the party never ends. But it always does" - Singer and actress Bette Midler.