In the history of mistaken identities, it may be one of the more baffling examples. Barack Obama has apologised to George Osborne for repeatedly confusing him with black Rhode-Island soul singer Jeffrey Osborne.
The US president repeatedly made the mistake during a speech on tax avoidance at the G8. On three separate occasions he said he agreed with "Jeffrey".
The Financial Times reported that he later apologised to the British chancellor, saying: "I'm sorry man. I must have confused you with my favourite R&B singer.”
It may be the first time that the Oxford educated 42-year-old chancellor was mistaken for the 65-year-old singer of On The Wings Of Love.
The elder Osborne, who secured five gold and platinum albums as a solo singer, offered to come to Britain to perform a duet with Britain's chancellor.
"I was really delighted actually," he told Sky News.
"I was really not aware that he was that much of a fan that he would call the chancellor Jeffrey Osborne.
"Tell the chancellor when I come over I will have to hook up with him and we will do a duet of On The Wings Of Love or something."
The chancellor responded on Twitter this afternoon.
One unexpected breakthrough from G8 – offer to sing with legend @_JeffreyOsborne. Jeff you wouldn't suggest a duet if you'd heard me sing
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) June 20, 2013
Speaking on LBC, Nick Clegg said: "I didn't hear this. I can see the newspapers have had some fun though."
The younger Osborne has long been mocked online for his middle name of Gideon, but there was a concerted effort to start a trend of permanently referring to him as Jeffrey this morning.
Poor old Osbo. Reminds me of that chap in Washington who used to always call me 'Holly'.
— Olly Barratt (@ollybarratt) June 20, 2013
Barack Obama calling George Osborne "Jeffrey" has made my day. I feel properly cheered.
— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) June 20, 2013
Good job Barack Obama never watched Rainbow as a kid. He coulda mixed up Jeffrey, George and….Bungle. (h/t @anBhanna)
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) June 20, 2013
You know, if *everybody* in Britain just called George Osborne Jeffrey from now, his name would be Jeffrey. We could do that.
— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) June 20, 2013
Osborne/Obama meme pic.twitter.com/PAjVTAOZ0k
— Felicity Morse (@FelicityMorse) June 20, 2013
