Ukraine’s glamorous former Prime Minister slammed a new government dress code as “laughable”.

Yulia Tymoshenko, known for lacy dresses and stilettos, said the dress code would prevent the Queen from entering Cabinet premises.

Ms Tymoshenko, who is now a top opposition leader, quipped at a news conference: “The Queen of England and (Libya’s leader Muammar) Gaddafi, for instance, for sure would not have been allowed in the Cabinet.”

The code adopted this week calls on men working at the Cabinet of ministers to wear mostly grey and dark blue suits and not wear the same suit to work two days in a row.

Women are asked to stick to business suits and low-heeled shoes, and refrain from excessive make-up and jewellery.