Tory Conference: Thatcher tweaks BA by its tail

The eye fixed on a British Airways ethnic logo with a look which over the years has turned many a Cabinet minister's knees to jelly.

Then there was a roar. The "Great She Elephant" as Denis Healey once called her, was on the rampage. "We fly the British flag abroad," she bellowed at horrified BA staff. "Not these awful things you are putting on your tails. It is absolutely terrible."

Her husband, Denis, stood beside her asking staff manning the BA stand: "For Christ's sake, why can't we have British designs?" He was told that some of them were.

Baroness Thatcher's anger had been roused as she toured the stalls at the back of the Blackpool conference centre by a new-look ethnic design on a toy aircraft on the BA stand.

Lady Thatcher, who had enjoyed a standing ovation for appearing on the conference platform, held up the famous handbag as if to strike a blow for order, and rummaged about. Then she pulled out a handkerchief and tied it to the tail of the toy, covering up the offending image, before stalking off with Denis.

British Airways said: "We are always delighted to welcome Baroness Thatcher to our stand or on board our aircraft. Today we had a lighthearted discussion with her about our new identity, which we enjoyed."

The spokesman added: "Our research shows that around the world people like our new identity." The people from the stand next door liked it even more. They were from Virgin Atlantic.