Well worth a mention

Date: 25/06/1998

Still on the subject of tables, the designer work-surface provided for EU leaders at their recent meeting in Cardiff may have cost a small fortune, but it certainly seems to have been well appreciated.

Kohl was apparently particularly impressed when he was shown the fabled piece of furniture by UK Premier Tony Blair.

“Wunderbar!” exclaimed the robust chancellor as he examined the table.

“Yes, it goes back to Louis XIV,” explained a clearly chuffed Blair.

Whereupon one waggish official chipped in: “Not if we can find £50,000 by the end of the week, prime minister.”