Up yours Thatcher!

Campaigners have targeted a Birmingham firm which they say makes "shackles" used at the Guantanamo Bay camp. Comedian Mark Thomas joined protesters in orange jumpsuits from pressure group Reprieve outside the headquarters of Hiatts in Birmingham. The handcuff makers, established in 1780, are refusing to comment.

Comedian Mark Thomas. Hmmm, I can't actually remember the last time he said anything funny.

Whilst his heart may be in the right place Thomas has become a righteously indignant sixth-form activist with the political insight of a fifteen year old shouting "fascist bastards" at his parents for sending him to bed without his pudding.

Handcuffs are just that, a device for cuffing hands. We could investigate the motivation and justifications of a regime that employs them to restrain prisoners held without trial.

Or we could save the air fare and bus a load of well meaning idiots to Brum to wave placards in front of a small manufacturing business. I look forward to his next coruscating triumph, picketing the small firm that makes the laces in their boots. That's right Bush, tremble.