They’re having a bit of a nightmare over at Political Scrapbook towers this afternoon. Borrowing a quote from the Racing Post, the lefty blog ran a story that David Cameron had snubbed a phone call with Barack Obama because he was playing tennis with Rebekah Brooks’ husband, Charlie. Funny they weren’t so vocal about Gordon Brown pathetically begging Obama five times for a fifteen minute meeting in a kitchen, or Tony Blair bombing countries on the whim of an American president. In terms of the special relationship, a stand-up-for-yourself Hugh Grant-style approach should surely be cheered…
In any case, it looks like the story has little foundation anyway:
No10 'baffled' by claim Cameron snubbed Obama call for tennis game. No calls from president during 3 weekends Brooks stayed at Chequers
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) September 27, 2012
No10 source: 'Calls between PM and president are scheduled by officials, there's an agenda. This story simply can't be true.'
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) September 27, 2012
Doh!
UPDATE: King of spin Damian McBride has another explanation:
I'm guessing Obama wasn't really on the phone & that's just the pre-agreed 'out' the clerks always give Cam once a meeting has run an hour.
— Damian McBride (@DPMcBride) September 27, 2012
