British press aghast at 'cheap' Obama gift

WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- British newspapers are upset over what they see as rude treatment given to Prime Minister Gordon Brown by U.S. President Barack Obama this week, observers say.

The London dailies criticized Obama's treatment of Brown during his state visit to Washington this week on several fronts, including alleged cheap gift-giving, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.

"President Obama has been rudeness personified toward Britain," The Daily Telegraph wrote Friday. "His handling of the visit of the prime minister, Gordon Brown, to Washington was appalling."

The main point of contention was an alleged gift-giving snub. Brown gave Obama a pen holder made from the timbers of the 19th century British warship HMS President, while Obama responded by awarding Brown a collection of classic American movie DVDs.

"Oh, give me strength," the Daily News quoted an appalled Daily Telegraph staffer as writing. "We do have television and DVD stores on this side of the Atlantic."