President Bush tonight awarded America’s highest civilian honour to Tony Blair in a ceremony at the White House.

The outgoing President said Mr Blair was “a true friend of the United States” before hanging the Presidential Medal of Freedom around his neck.

The former Prime Minister stood in front of the President as the medal was bestowed upon him. “He will stand tall in history,” President Bush said. “And today the United States proudly honours its gallant friend Tony Blair.”

The President, who will be replaced by Barack Obama in seven days time, appeared to wink at Mr Blair after making a series of warm remarks.

President Bush said the first time he met Mr Blair he was asked what they had in common and he “jokingly replied that we both use Colgate toothpaste”. Within a few months the United States had suffered the September 11th attacks and Mr Blair won over the new Republican president by immediately and publicly offering British support.

President Bush said that when America faced the first great challenge of his Administration, Mr Blair was on hand to offer his assistance.

“He was there a our moment of trial,” the President told a gathering of dignitaries and personal friends of Mr Blair. “At his very centre this man believes in freedom.”

Mr Blair received his medal along with John Howard, the former Australian Prime Minister and Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian President.

The President himself clasped the medals around each man’s neck after a military aide read citations in the leaders’ honour. Before today’s ceremony, President Bush had awarded 78 medals during his tenure in office.

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