The match in question was the Spain v Germany Euro 2008 final. Obviously he did what any patriotic Englishman does in a bar overseas watching a football tournament England isn’t in. He grabbed a microphone and told the multi-national audience that he and his South African colleagues “are supporting Spain and not the Germans” – Graham was after all traveling as vice-president of GLOBE (Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment) with some South African parliamentarians. The purpose of the junket was “to facilitate high level dialogues amongst legislators”, hence his oft stated position: “I could never support the f*****g Germans”.

Good work Graham, spoken like a true English football fan….

UPDATE : Graham has called back to say he definitely did not use any naughty words. on the microphone. He simply told the room that he wouldn’t be supporting the genial Germans. Genially. Genuinely. Yes, let’s not be beastly to the Germans…

*Technically he can only speak for the opposition, not the government. However, broadly speaking, he captured the essential view of the British nation.