Gordon Brown heaped praise on George W. Bush with language evoking Tony Blair on Thursday, as he sought to overcome the impression that the “special relationship” had entered a cooler phase.

Speaking at a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden, Mr Brown said he stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Mr Bush in a transatlantic bond that was “stronger than ever”. “The world owes President Bush a huge debt of gratitude in leading the world in our determination to root out terrorism,” Mr Brown said.