Sarkozy fails to see Ryanair joke

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is taking legal action against Ryanair for using a picture of him and girlfriend Carla Bruni in an advert.

The ad, published in French daily Le Parisien today, shows the smiling couple with a comic book speech bubble coming from Ms Bruni’s head. “With Ryanair, all my family can come to my wedding,” it says.

Mr Sarkozy’s adviser Franck Louvrier said the French leader is requesting the immediate removal of the ad, although it was not immediately clear whether he would also seek damages.

Mr Sarkozy’s office considers the ad “an improper use of the president’s image”, he said.

Ryanair said in a statement: “It was a humorous comment on a matter of great public interest in France. We apologise sincerely for any offence caused.”

The romance between the recently divorced president and the supermodel-turned-singer has captured headlines since they went public with it in December. Mr Sarkozy, 52, has hinted that marriage is on the cards with Ms Bruni, 40, though he has not revealed a date.

It is not the first time Ryanair has used politicians’ likeness without permission. The company has used photos of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in past ads.

Ryanair last year reportedly settled out of court a lawsuit brought by Sweden’s ex-prime minister Goran Persson after it used his picture without his consent.