THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T TONY BLAIR:

Gordon Brown is frustrated by 'Psycho' in No 10 (Tim Walker, 18 Mar 2009, Daily Telegraph)

While not exactly a film buff, Gordon Brown was touched when Barack Obama gave him a set of 25 classic American movies – including Psycho, starring Anthony Perkins on his recent visit to Washington.

Alas, when the PM settled down to begin watching them the other night, he found there was a problem.

The films only worked in DVD players made in North America and the words "wrong region" came up on his screen. Although he mournfully had to put the popcorn away, he is unlikely to jeopardise the special relationship – or "special partnership", as we are now supposed to call it – by registering a complaint.

It still makes you ashamed of your country, but it wasn't a PM we owe much.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 19, 2009 5:03 PM