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Brown pledge over UK-US relations Brown flies to US for Bush talks
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has reaffirmed the UK's close relationship with the US ahead of talks with President George Bush. Gordon Brown is flying to the United States to meet President George Bush for the first time since he became prime minister.
New Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown previously said the two countries would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy. Mr Brown reaffirmed the UK's close relationship with the US ahead of the visit saying he wanted to discuss how the two countries could work together.
However, Mr Brown said he was looking forward to visiting the president to discuss ways of working together. A foreign office minister had suggested the US and the UK would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy.
The link with the US was the UK's "single most important bilateral relationship", said the prime minister. But Mr Brown said links with the US would become stronger in the future.
International issuesInternational issues
It will be his first meeting with Mr Bush since becoming prime minister. Earlier this month, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown said it was time for a more "impartial" foreign policy and for Britain to build relationships with European leaders.
He said: "It is a relationship that is founded on our common values of liberty, opportunity and the dignity of the individual. Some analysts considered the Foreign Office minister's remarks evidence of Labour distancing itself from the US.
But before departing Britain on Sunday, Mr Brown committed himself to close ties to the US.
"It is a relationship that is founded on our common values of liberty, opportunity and the dignity of the individual," he said.
"And because of the values we share, the relationship with the United States is not only strong but can become stronger in the years ahead.""And because of the values we share, the relationship with the United States is not only strong but can become stronger in the years ahead."
The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong Gordon Brown Analysis: Brown ponders tiesThe relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong Gordon Brown Analysis: Brown ponders ties
The pair are expected to discuss international issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Darfur, Kosovo, world trade and climate change in talks at Camp David.The pair are expected to discuss international issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Darfur, Kosovo, world trade and climate change in talks at Camp David.
Mr Brown added: "We know that we cannot solve any of the world's major problems without the active engagement of the US." Mr Brown added: "We know that we cannot solve any of the world's major problems without the active engagement of the US.
"And just as Britain and America have always stood side by side in tackling the great global challenges of the past, so we will continue to work very closely together as friends to tackle the great global challenges of the future."And just as Britain and America have always stood side by side in tackling the great global challenges of the past, so we will continue to work very closely together as friends to tackle the great global challenges of the future.
"The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong, and I am looking forward to my meeting with President Bush to discuss how we can work together to meet many of the great challenges we face.""The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong, and I am looking forward to my meeting with President Bush to discuss how we can work together to meet many of the great challenges we face."
'Frankness''Frankness'
Tony Blair enjoyed a close relationship with Mr Bush but there has been speculation that Mr Brown wants to keep his distance from the president.Tony Blair enjoyed a close relationship with Mr Bush but there has been speculation that Mr Brown wants to keep his distance from the president.
The shadow foreign secretary, William Hague, told the BBC the prime minister and foreign secretary needed to set a clear stance.The shadow foreign secretary, William Hague, told the BBC the prime minister and foreign secretary needed to set a clear stance.
He said: "They should not be leaving it to more junior ministers to create misunderstandings about the relationship with America, which is what has happened over the last few weeks.He said: "They should not be leaving it to more junior ministers to create misunderstandings about the relationship with America, which is what has happened over the last few weeks.
"Our approach, the approach David Cameron and I take, is that our relationship with America should be what we call solid but not slavish and it should gain frankness without losing its closeness.""Our approach, the approach David Cameron and I take, is that our relationship with America should be what we call solid but not slavish and it should gain frankness without losing its closeness."
'Candid friend''Candid friend'
Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell said three main issues should be discussed at the meeting.Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell said three main issues should be discussed at the meeting.
"Renegotiation of the one-sided extradition treaty, the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre and a negotiated withdrawal of British forces from Iraq," he said."Renegotiation of the one-sided extradition treaty, the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre and a negotiated withdrawal of British forces from Iraq," he said.
"These should be the objectives of a candid friend. The excessively subordinated relationship between the President and Mr Blair should be put to bed.""These should be the objectives of a candid friend. The excessively subordinated relationship between the President and Mr Blair should be put to bed."
Speaking in the US, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander emphasised the need for "new alliances, based on common values".Speaking in the US, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander emphasised the need for "new alliances, based on common values".
Foreign Secretary David Miliband subsequently insisted the US will continue to be the UK's most important partner.Foreign Secretary David Miliband subsequently insisted the US will continue to be the UK's most important partner.