Bush visit ends in County Durham
US president George Bush’s visit to Britain is drawing to a close today.
The ‘most powerful man in the world’ enjoyed a pub lunch with the prime minister at Tony Blair’s constituency in Sedgefield this afternoon.
The president, his wife Laura, Mr Blair and his wife Cherie dined at the Sedgefield’s Dun Cow Inn amid tight security.
Mr Bush chatted with locals outside the pub and posed for pictures in the bar, before meeting some of Mr Blair’s constituents.
Mr Bush and his wife Laura had flown to Mr Blair’s home at Trimdon Colliery, a few miles away, after the formal part of their state visit as guests of the Queen ended.
The Bushs and the Blairs dined on cream of potato and leek soup, followed by fish and chips with mushy peas and lemon creme brulee for pudding.
Mr Bush told reporters: “We had a good lunch. I have had a wonderful trip. The prime minister has been a gracious host, as was Her Majesty.”
After lunch, the party visited Sedgefield Community College, a specialist sports school, to talk to pupils and watch a display of football skills.
Both leaders spoke of their outrage at the terrible suicide bombings of British targets in Istanbul yesterday, which claimed 27 lives, and insisted that it would not halt their joint commintment to the ‘war on terror’.
“We have got a job to do and that’s to defeat terror,” Mr Bush said.
“We will work with any country willing to fight for freedom, just like Great Britain.
“This country’s fortunate to have a prime minister who’s clear-sighted about the threat of the 21st century.”
Police were on hand to keep Hundreds of chanting protesters away from the two leaders. Members of the public have been prevented from getting within half a mile of Mr Blair’s home, Myrobella House.
An estimated £1 million has been spent on security for today’s visit and Durham Constabulary has cancelled all leave.
The president and first lady boarded Air Force One at Teesside Airport and flew back to the US this afternoon.
Mr Bush’s three-day state visit has been marred by demonstrations and the attacks in Istanbul.
