Downing St left embarrassed after Obama scales down first meeting with Brown
By Benedict Brogan
Daily Mail UK
Last updated at 2:39 PM on 03rd March 2009
Downing Street was left scrambling to avoid a diplomatic embarrassment 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 hospitality lavished on Tony Blair by George Bush when they met for the first time.