Anger as PM accused of backing Obama
Gordon Brown in hot water over Barack Obama 'backing'
Wednesday, 10, Sep 2008 12:00
Gordon Brown has hit back at accusations he broke decades of tradition by giving his backing to US presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
In an article published yesterday, as part of the prime minister's relaunch, he praised Mr Obama and the Democrats for "generating the ideas" to help people during uncertain economic conditions.
The Conservative party has accused Mr Brown of reacting irresponsible, while according to reports the British embassy in Washington and No 10 has been trying to undo the damage caused by the story with Republican nominee John McCain's camp.
In the offending article, published under the PM's name, he wrote: "Around the world, it is progressive politicians who are grappling with these challenges. In the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating the ideas to help people through more difficult times.
"To help prevent people from losing their home, Barack Obama has proposed a foreclosure prevention fund to increase emergency pre-foreclosure counselling, and help families facing repossession."
On Wednesday Mr Brown repeated an earlier Downing St line that he was "not endorsing a candidate in the US presidential elections... [and] never would".
"It is up to the American people to decide," he said.
Appearing at a news conference with his UK counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi said it would be "absurd" for an EU member to back either of the nominees.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague warned Mr Brown of the dangers of appearing to take sides ahead of the presidential elections in November.
"A responsible British prime minister needs to be ready to work with either presidential candidate after the US election, and should neither take sides nor be seen to be taking sides," Mr Hague said.
"Gordon Brown needs to make clear why he appeared to be favouring the Democrats in this article and to explain whether this was his deliberate intention or a careless mistake."