This morning BBC Radio 4 reports that The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said of the above Ryanair advert.

“We considered that her appearance and pose, in conjunction with the heading ‘Hottest’, appeared to link teenage girls with sexually provocative behaviour and was irresponsible and likely to cause serious or widespread offence”.

The ASA told Ryanair to withdraw the advert and ensure its future promotions complied with the advertising code.

However, the airline said the model’s clothing reflected what was currently fashionable among young women.

I don’t know what school allows its children to wear these types of clothes; I suspect it’s only in the minds of the executives that run Ryanair. The airline goes on to say.

“It is remarkable that a picture of a fully-clothed model is now claimed to cause ‘serious or widespread offence’, when many of the UK’s leading daily newspapers regularly run pictures of topless or partially-dressed females without causing any serious or widespread offence,” said Peter Sherrard, head of communications for the airline.

Sherrard shouldn’t judge us by the types of papers he appears to read, The Sun and Daily Star. Ryanair finally resorts to abuse.

“This isn’t advertising regulation, it is simply censorship. This bunch of unelected self-appointed dimwits are clearly incapable of fairly and impartially ruling on advertising. Mr Sherrard added that Ryanair believed the advert was not irresponsible nor offensive and would therefore “not be withdrawing this ad” and would “not provide the ASA with any of the undertakings they seek”.

As far as I can see Ryanair have completely lost, the plot if the can’t see what’s wrong. We should all think twice before flying Ryanair.