Across the pond

TONY Blair's trousers were too tight and Gordon Brown refused to dress down. Meetings of British leaders with US presidents have sometimes been memorable for the wrong reasons but, as David Cameron makes his first appearance in Washington as Prime Minister, there are genuinely grave matters at hand.

Mr Cameron is right to rebuild the special relationship after the awkwardness of Mr Brown's meetings with George W Bush and Barack Obama.

Describing Britain as a "junior partner" was, however, a bold and risky move, although it could turn out to be a diplomatic masterstroke if it creates the freedom for the Prime Minister to press this country's case with vigour.

Scotland's release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the man convicted of the Lockerbie atrocity, as well as Mr Obama's anti-British grandstanding over the BP oil leak, have fuelled ill-feeling on both sides. Mr

Cameron was right to condemn the release of al-Megrahi on medical grounds but there is more work to be done between the two countries in

several areas.

One truth remains, however. For as long as our servicemen and women are risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, Britain historic

relationship with American must remain as close as ever.