'Sexist Wimbledon in pay timewarp'

The Wimbledon championship was today accused of being stuck in a time warp.

Cabinet minister Patricia Hewitt condemned the All England Club for failing to close the £39,000 pay gap between the men's £525,000 and the women's £486,000 top singles prizes.

Ms Hewitt, Minister for Women as well as Trade and Industry Secretary, said: "Wimbledon seems to have got stuck several decades back when it was taken for granted that women were junior partners to men.

"We don't accept that in law for employers. It's a pity Wimbledon hasn't caught up."