mikey - //I just thought that a huge mountain was made out of a pretty insignificant molehill. Most of us found the original advert with Michael Winner and Ben Fogle's Mum amusing, so I can't quite see why dave was castigated for paraphrasing it in the House. //
I am mildy surprised at your take on this.
I realise I am repeating myself, but I must reiterate that context is everything in terms of addressing other people.
If Michael Winner wants to say 'Calm down dear ... in a scripted advert, that's fine, if the Prime Minister wants to say it in the House to a female MP, then it's not fine.
It was an error of judgement, and he quite rightly apologised.
Otherwise, where do we draw the line - stop referring to Mr Bercow as 'Mr Speaker' which is his correct title, and appropriate to his status, or do we have MP's calling 'Yo Sweetcheeks!' across the floor of the House!
Protocols are there to be observed - being respectful ranks above trying to be clever or amusing.