Blair defends George Bush visit

[hussar]

Tony Blair has insisted he made the right decision by inviting US President George Bush to the UK as a huge security operation gets under way.

Some 14,000 police officers will be on duty throughout Mr Bush's four-day visit, at an estimated cost to the British taxpayer of £5m.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators, led by the Stop the War Coalition, are expected to take to the capital's streets in protest at the visit which begins on Tuesday.

The prime minister said Britain was right to stand shoulder to shoulder with the US, particularly after recent terror attacks in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, on the UN and Red Cross.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3275907.stm