BBC News Online: UK Politics

Second Betty spells double trouble for MPs

Seeing double: but which is which? Betty Boothroyd

"They've even measured the depth of my wrinkles!" joked Miss Boothroyd, as she came face-to-face with the lifelike dummy.

The veteran MP is the first Speaker to have a wax lookalike created and she said it was a great honour.

The sculpture, by Jim Mathieson, will call to order politicians, including Tony Blair and William Hague, in the Grand Hall at Madame Tussaud's.

Miss Boothroyd, much-loved disciplinarian of the House since 1992, inspected the dummy at Speaker's House in Westminster.

Posing with the double, both dressed in black and gold, she said: "I like everything about her. The first sitting took about five hours and we were all exhausted with that."

Deputy Shadow Leader of the House, Sir Patrick Cormack, said: "I think all it lacks is the voice, and the twinkle in the eye of course."

Labour's Austin Mitchell added: "I'm beginning to get anxious. I'd better be on my best behaviour."

Westminster kitchen staff gaped in surprise. One gasped: "How did they do this? It's a miracle."