Other notable accidents led to such helpful developments as Cockpit Resource Management (crews working as a cross-checking team at all times), smoke detectors and automatic fire extinguishers in lavatories and cargo-holds, wind-shear detectors, transponders and flame-retardant materials. Even then, airlines have pushed reliable jets too far on occasions expecting such winged workhorses as the Boeing 737 (8,000 built) to fly around the clock.

"The best way of securing reform of the EU is by engaging with our neighbours, forging alliances with like-minded states and winning the argument. Threatening exit is dangerous and won't achieve anything."

Yet a survey for the ABI found that half of those asked were not sure how they would pay for these care costs.

?C Adam Huuva

Mr Campbell's briefers targeted numerous ministers and others, but their biggest target was the chancellor, Gordon Brown. It is thought to have been Campbell himself who told the Observer journalist Andrew Rawnsley that Gordon Brown had "'psychological flaws".