Brown turns to bananas

2010-02-08 18:07

London - Election fever is mounting in Britain, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown is preparing for the campaign trail by eating up to nine bananas a day, a report said on Monday.

Brown is convinced fruit can bring "radiance," a spokesperson said, while declining to confirm an earlier report that the premier is scoffing the fruit as an alternative to his favourite KitKat chocolate bars.

Brown is gearing up for an uphill battle to hold power against the main opposition Conservatives, in elections due before June but expected on May 6.

"The prime minister has always taken the view that a balanced diet is very important," Brown's official spokesperson said, neither denying nor confirming the banana story.

He added: "Portions of fruit and veg taken on a daily basis can only lead to good health and radiance."

Questioned about the amount of fruit Brown was eating, he said that any numbers were pure "speculation".

Bananas have been risky political accessories since Foreign Secretary David Miliband was snapped brandishing one two years ago, in a photo that was widely mocked and undermined his hopes of leading the ruling Labour party.

- SAPA