The lady confronting Google is known for her tough resolve

Brussels

MARGRETHE Vestager, the European Union's commissioner for competition, who last week took on the colossus that is Google, has a reputation for toughness.

She is also an accomplished knitter.

Last year, as Ms Vestager was leaving her job as Denmark's minister of the economy, she gave her successor a hand-knit toy elephant - she often works on them during staff meetings - noting that the animals "bear no grudge, but they remember well". That is something of a motto for Ms Vestager, who was in Washington last week meeting government officials, making television appearances and public speeches - and being barraged with questions about Google.

In Brussels last Wednesday, she filed formal antitrust charges against the company, saying that the search engine giant had abused its market dominance by systematically favouring its own comparison shopping service over those of its rivals. If Google fails to refute the charges, the company could face a fine…