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24/09/2009
No Obama Snub, Says No. 10
Reports that US President Barack Obama repeatedly 'snubbed' Prime Minister Gordon Brown while in New York, have been denied.
Downing Street and the White House have both moved to clarify the situation, after a number of media outlets suggested Mr Obama had declined Mr Brown's requests for discussions five times.
Both men are currently in New York for a major United Nations conference.
According to Number 10 aides, talks were held between the political leaders following a UN dinner. It is believed they chatted in a building's kitchen.
However, cabinet minister Shaun Woodward today told the BBC Mr Brown and the president had met on several occasions.
Mr Woodward said if he was to count the number of NYC meetings he "would run out of fingers on one hand".
The Northern Ireland secretary claimed prime ministerial trips frequently flag up alleged 'snubs', which he described as "trivia".
It was widely reported White House staff declined the wishes of UK officials for a meeting, whilst facilitating private discussions between the president and the leaders of Russia, China and Japan.
Some suggested Mr Obama is still concerned over the Sottish Parliament's decision to release the Lockerbie bomber from prison on compassionate grounds.
The president called the release of Libyan Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi a "mistake".
Despite this, Downing Street said reports of a snub were "completely without foundation".
White House staff dismissed the suggestions as "totally absurd".
"We would add that President Obama and Prime Minister Brown enjoy a terrific relationship, they speak regularly on a range of the most difficult challenges facing our two nations and meet frequently," added the spokesman.
(PR/GK)
Downing Street and the White House have both moved to clarify the situation, after a number of media outlets suggested Mr Obama had declined Mr Brown's requests for discussions five times.
Both men are currently in New York for a major United Nations conference.
According to Number 10 aides, talks were held between the political leaders following a UN dinner. It is believed they chatted in a building's kitchen.
However, cabinet minister Shaun Woodward today told the BBC Mr Brown and the president had met on several occasions.
Mr Woodward said if he was to count the number of NYC meetings he "would run out of fingers on one hand".
The Northern Ireland secretary claimed prime ministerial trips frequently flag up alleged 'snubs', which he described as "trivia".
It was widely reported White House staff declined the wishes of UK officials for a meeting, whilst facilitating private discussions between the president and the leaders of Russia, China and Japan.
Some suggested Mr Obama is still concerned over the Sottish Parliament's decision to release the Lockerbie bomber from prison on compassionate grounds.
The president called the release of Libyan Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi a "mistake".
Despite this, Downing Street said reports of a snub were "completely without foundation".
White House staff dismissed the suggestions as "totally absurd".
"We would add that President Obama and Prime Minister Brown enjoy a terrific relationship, they speak regularly on a range of the most difficult challenges facing our two nations and meet frequently," added the spokesman.
(PR/GK)
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