Blair falls into line with Bush on global warming

Over the past two years Blair has consistently claimed global leadership in tackling what he described as "long term, the singlemost important issue we face as a global community," stressing that it "can only properly be addressed through international agreements."

Bush, however, had repeatedly expressed anger at this position.

The dramatic change will inevitably bring accusations that Blair has once again sold out to Bush, just at the time that the US president is coming under unprecedented pressure to change his policy in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Last week the British government's chief scientific advisor, David King, said that global warming might have increased their severity.