Chirac snub puts Blair on defensive

Tony Blair was today forced on to the defensive over Europe after a resounding public snub from President Jacques Chirac.

The Prime Minister returned from Berlin late last night from a three-way summit with the French president and Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schrˆder.

Downing Street had pointed to this as showing the Prime Minister is now an equal partner in the big three. But that was scuppered by Mr Chirac at a joint press conference.

Asked if the relationship with Britain was now on a par with that between France and Germany, he said the Paris-Berlin links were "very specific" and not for others to muscle in on.

"It is not something that can be transposed or exported in the short term," Mr Chirac added. "It is a very intense relationship which is illustrated by re gular contacts, daily contacts, between government and public officials."

Mr Blair, sitting alongside, could only agree.