US president George Bush has rejected talk of Tony Blair having been his 'poodle' during the pair's time in power.

On the day the prime minister leaves office, the president's warm approval of his British counterpart's time in power depicts a relationship where "we're both going to jump together".

In an interview with the Sun, Mr Bush said: "I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that. This is just background noise, a distraction from big things.

"We're working together to achieve global peace in the face of enormous danger. This kind of thing is just silly ridicule and that's how I treat it."

Regarding Mr Blair's legacy, the president said that history would "judge him kindly". "He's a very talented man, for whom I've got a great deal of respect," Mr Bush added.

Mr Blair's oratory skills also impressed Mr Bush, which he said showed how "very articulate" the prime minister was.

"I wish I was a better speaker. This guy can really . . . he can talk. He's given some really good speeches here on US soil. He's a very good writer, obviously, and a very good speaker too.

"We have different speaking styles, of course."

On Mr Blair's successor, the president was also complimentary and remarked that Gordon Brown had not lived up to preconceptions at all.

"Gordon came here and he wasn't the image of the dour Scotsman at all! He was relaxed. It was a good meeting," Mr Bush said.

"Tony has been very gracious about Gordon Brown to me."

Mr Blair will participate in his final prime minister's questions at the Commons today before heading to Buckingham Palace to officially resign as prime minister.

Mr Brown will then almost immediately be asked by the Queen to form a new government.

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