THOSE of a nervous disposition should look away now, but an image was conjured up at PMQs which had most of us rushing for the smelling salts - David Cameron in his Speedos.
This unedifying picture was placed before us after the PM recalled that on a business trip to China he had been promoting British beachwear and "pushing Speedos as hard as we could".
Labour backbencher Pamela Nash, blinking heavily, told MPs to laughter: "I'm afraid I might have nightmares this evening about the Prime Minister modelling Speedos on his world tour."
As an embarrassed smile crossed the face of the shiny-headed premier, he stood to try to remove any psychological damage done to Ms Nash and others, saying: "Let me reassure you that Speedos do actually make shorts as well as Speedos so if I can clear that picture out of your mind."
Earlier, the delicate subject of the World Cup was raised with the PM launching Question Time by wishing the England football team "the very best of British" before their first game this weekend in Brazil.
Labour's Mike Kane suggested given the splits in his own side Mr C should be "picking up the phone to Roy Hodgson and asking for some tips on team discipline".
But the PM struck back hard, noting that the Coalition had had the same Chancellor for four years and there was record growth, and it had had the same Home Secretary for four years and there was a record fall in crime.
"I say if you've got a strong team with a strong plan, stick with the team, stick with the plan and keep putting it in the back of the net." The Tories roared with glee. Labour looked as though they had just lost on penalties.
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