Cheap flights do not mean cheap tactics are okay.

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As war with Iraq continues, most companies and brands have been trying their hardest to avoid any ads that could be deemed insensitive, offensive or disturbing, given the circumstances in the Gulf.

But, as the old saying goes, there's always one. There was bound to be an advertiser that dared to transgress the bounds of taste and decency in a style that Jo Moore would be proud of. This time it's Ryanair.

The ad ran in the Daily Express last Wednesday with the caption ‘Need a break?’ and a fuzzy shot of Saddam's head crossed out.

At Mix headquarters, after an initial general reaction of disbelief and shouts of ‘You can't do that’, the feeling was that this particular piece of creative work was pathetic â€" and shaming to the name of marketing. It's all very well reacting to topical events, but what a cheap shot.

It seems others agree. The Advertising Standards Authority has so far had at least three complaints. Watch this space for the ruling. In the meantime, it's not big, Ryanair, and it's certainly not clever.

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): Ryanair: tasteless use of Saddam