President Bush yesterday reached out to embrace Gordon Brown as a new ally in the fight against terrorism and the war in Iraq, saying the Prime Minister “understands the call”.

Mr Brown talked solemnly about “duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep” in Iraq, but also hinted that Britain could hand over military control of Basra in the autumn when Parliament returns.

The two leaders were speaking at a press conference in Camp David, during Mr Brown’s first visit to America as Prime Minister.

A new Populus poll for The Times today shows that he has further strengthened his political position at home over an embattled David Cameron. Labour support has risen two points to 39 per cent — its highest level for 18 months — while the Conservatives fell to 33 per cent, their lowest since Mr Cameron became leader.

Gordon Brown's Black Wednesday

The Northern Rock disaster has torn away any remaining credibility the Prime Minister had

BACKGROUND

• Sorry story tests Gordon to the limit

• Gordon, how wonderful, wise and talented am I?

• Brown’s brain and his hand are not always connected

• How 'cruel' schooling scarred Brown

Related Links

• Cameron slaps down critic

• Brown keeps it formal, finds common challenges

• Bush: He’s not a dour Scotsman, he’s humorous

Yesterday, after in depth and sometimes personal talks over dinner and breakfast, Mr Bush repeatedly praised the new Prime Minister and added congratulations for the “steady and quick response” to recent terror threat in Britain, saying: “You proved your worthiness as a leader.”

Mr Brown chose to describe their talks as “full and frank”, a phrase which usually conceals disagreements.

He went on to suggest that Britain’s military was getting ready to hand control of Basra — the last province under its control in southern Iraq — to Iraqi authorities. “We intend to move to overwatch,” he said, describing how troops would withdraw to bases away from the immediate battlezones. He added that “whatever happens, we will make a full statement to Parliament when it returns”.

UK officials last night insisted that there was no change in policy but that Britain retained the right to withdraw its remaining 5,500 troops irrespective of any plea from Washington to continue operating alongside American troops.

Mr Bush said that he was sure Mr Brown “will keep me abreast of his military commanders recommendations based on the conditions on the ground”.

He once again issued a plea for patience and urged critics to wait until they had seen a report from General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, of progress being made by his strategy of sending in additional troops. “I have said this is going to take a long time in Iraq,” he said .

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