WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

President Obama. On meeting Prime Minister Gordon Brown as president for the first time in March 2009: 'Great Britain is one of our closest and strongest allies and there is a link and bond there that will not break... This notion that somehow there is any lessening of that special relationship is misguided... The relationship is not only special and strong but will only get stronger as time goes on.'

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After her first ministerial-level talks with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in February 2009: 'It's often said that the United States and Great Britain have long enjoyed a special relationship. It is certainly special in my mind, and one that has proven very productive. Whoever is in the White House, whichever party in our country, this relationship really stands the test of time.'

David Miliband, in reply, spoke of 'a commitment to renew and refresh the special relationship.'

British Prime Minster Tony Blair. Speaking after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington: ‘This in not a battle between the United States of America and terrorism, but between the free and democratic world and terrorism. We therefore here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy, and we like them will not rest until this evil is driven from our world.’

President George W. Bush. In a speech to the United States Congress, nine days after the attacks: 'America has no truer friend than Great Britain.'

President Bill Clinton. At his first meeting with newly elected British prime minister Tony Blair in 1997: 'Over the last fifty years our unbreakable alliance has helped to bring unparalleled peace and prosperity and security. It’s an alliance based on shared values and common aspirations.'