Commissioner Brittan sees red over Jaguar

Date: 09/11/1995

Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan is very chuffed with his new company car, a gleaming Jaguar XJ6. Not so much because of the CD player in the boot or the air-conditioning or the aroma of finest hide upholstery, all second nature to Commissioners, but because of its smart metallic red paintwork.

Brittan was very proud to be the first Commissioner to buy British a few years ago, adding a dark green XJ6 to the Commission's fleet of all-too-predictable Mercedes battleships and BMW juggernauts. Imagine his horror then when fellow Commissioners Pinheiro and Oreja both went out and ordered identical cars in identical green, ruining the Jag's exclusivity in the Commission car park. The only comfort for Brittan (and a source of pride for Britain), was the fact that two men from Portugal and Spain with no indigenous limousine car industry for which they ought to demonstrate loyal support should shun the finest of German motor cars and pick the best of British.

Sir Leon has now regained his exclusivity: insiders say he had been eyeing a discreet silver grey model, but was suddenly attracted to the metallic red when the salesman pointed out that the colour was about to be discontinued, ruling out any danger of copycats.