President Snubs Prime Minister

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Downing St left embarrassed after President Obama scales down first meeting with Brown

Downing Street was left scrambling to avoid a diplomatic embarrassment today after the White House ruled out a formal press conference to mark Gordon Brown's first formal meeting with Barack Obama.

Officials denied the Prime Minister was being snubbed after it emerged that the new president would not make himself available for the traditional joint appearance before the White House media.

Mr Brown's aides are trying to make the best of what is a distinctly low key visit compared to the family.

Mr Brown and Mr Obama finally sat down together to meet the press in an informal Oval Office briefing this afternoon.

The pair, who were almost identically dressed in dark suits, white shirts and blue ties, appeared relaxed and friendly.

And Mr Obama was quick to reaffirm the 'special relationship' between America and Britain.

'First of all the special relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain is one that is not only important to me, it is important to the America people,' the new President said.

He added he would like to think his relationship with Mr Brown was 'terrific' and stressed his personal links with Britain through his mother's family.

'The notion that there's any lessening of the special relationship with Britain is nonsense,' he said.

'It is one of our closest and strongest allies and there's a link and bond there that we will not break.

'The relationship is not only special and strong but will only get stronger as time goes on.'

Mr Brown went on to thank Mr Obama for his welcome and said he had gone to Washington to renew their relationship.

(more)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11...ting-Brown.html

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The Daily Outrage -

[Saddle Bronc 124]

The Daily Outrage -

Are you saying that DailyMail is Brit equivalent of "Onion"?

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

i'd like to see our loyal allies and friends treated better than this.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The Daily Outrage -

Are you saying that DailyMail is Brit equivalent of "Onion"?

No.

But they seem to like being angry. Their offices must be a tense and stressful place.

[Peikko 1,575]

It's more about trying to show up Mr Brown than anything. The Mail aren't exactly Labour supporters.

Talking of UK politicians, have you heard Ann drumming up customers for her spinster tome? I haven't read it, and I don't think I want to as the premise behind the book just seems really wrong to me.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's more about trying to show up Mr Brown than anything. The Mail aren't exactly Labour supporters.

Talking of UK politicians, have you heard Ann drumming up customers for her spinster tome? I haven't read it, and I don't think I want to as the premise behind the book just seems really wrong to me.

Ann Widdecomb?

I thought she'd packed it in along with Portillo.

I love that Ann was used as the basis for one of the villains in Harry Potter

[Peikko 1,575]

It's more about trying to show up Mr Brown than anything. The Mail aren't exactly Labour supporters.

Talking of UK politicians, have you heard Ann drumming up customers for her spinster tome? I haven't read it, and I don't think I want to as the premise behind the book just seems really wrong to me.

Ann Widdecomb?

I thought she'd packed it in along with Portillo.

I love that Ann was used as the basis for one of the villains in Harry Potter

Yes. Actually, I am not sure about her status, beyond being an 'author'. She's been all over the beeb talking about it and every time I here the title my hackles rise

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

She was a weird lady all right - that high pitched squeaky voice. Always reminded me of Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows.