Now if I were a terrible cynic, I would ask whether this incident has been played up in the press, as a way of allowing the Dear Leader to have his way and order a 330 as Blairforce One....
"You see, Gordon? I do it on the cheap and Britain becomes a laughing stock. Clapped out American jet, with Me on it, all over the news. Not very New Labour, New Britain. Now be a good boy and sign this cheque, payable to Airbus SAS please."
TA (not a UK taxpayer and relieved so not to be...)