Gee . . . Thanks . . .

During his historic trip to Washington, Gordon Brown gave Barack Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet - once called HMS President.

The unique present delighted Mr Obama because oak from the Gannet's sister ship, HMS Resolute, was carved to make a desk that already takes place in the Oval Office in the White House, after being presented by Britain to the US in 1880.

[D]espite being leader of the world's most bountiful nation, President Obama handed over nothing more thought-provoking than 25 classic American films on DVD.

Despite being a 'special collector's box set', any film buff could have picked up the movies from their local video store for just £250 [~$500].

It is not clear what the Prime Minister - not believed to a great fan of cinema - thought about receiving the films.

Downing Street yesterday THURS refused even to state which movies were in the box set - perhaps a reflection of their embarrassment that the gift was less generous than the ones taken to Washington by the Prime Minister.

But the Mail understands the gift included Hollywood blockbusters such as Star Wars, The Godfather and Orson Welles' ground-breaking flick Citizen Kane.

Dude, it could have been worse - it could have been a $50 gift card for Starbucks.

I don't know him, but on behalf of the American people, I offer my apologies, Prime Minister, for the utter lack of class demonstrated by our President. Should you and your family come to Southern California, you are cordially invited to my house. My husband makes a mean BBQ and I have a "local" in my neighborhood to where we can repair after dinner for a few pints. My treat.