LONDON - The maverick minister, Mr Tony Banks, last night denied he was mocking the Crown by crossing his fingers during the swearing-in ceremony in the Commons yesterday. Mr Banks, who admitted he was "gobsmacked" when appointed Sports Minister, said he did it "for luck".
He laughed off Tory suggestions that it made him unsuitable to serve as a minister. Speaking as he left a Downing Street reception for the new Cabinet, the boisterous left-winger responded to news of the Tory attacks: "To anyone who is making a point of this I'd say `How very, very sad'."
