Leading article: Lèse majesté

Burger King has been slapped on the wrist by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for telling whoppers as well as selling them. It turns out that the restaurant exaggerated the size of its "TenderCrisp" chicken burger in its most recent television adverts.

The watchdog established this through diligent investigation. ASA staff bought three burgers and found that their thickness, the quantity of their additional fillings and the height of the sandwich did not match what was shown on screen. Thank goodness we can rely on public servants prepared to undergo such hardships on our behalf.

It is pleasing too that the authorities seem to be casting a more sceptical eye over the claims of the fast food giants. And we would like to take this opportunity to suggest some other lines of investigation. Just how hands on is Ronald McDonald these days? What precisely are Colonel Sanders' military credentials? And, of course, how legitimate is the Burger King's claim to the throne? (A hint: We've checked Burke's and this royal lineage is nowhere to be found). So tell us the truth ASA, no matter how hard it might be for some to stomach.