“George Bush’s meeting with families of British soldiers killed in Iraq was dismissed as a selfish stunt by two angry fathers.

The United States President wants to meet relatives during his visit to the UK to tell them their loved ones died in a ‘noble cause’… Mr Bush said he will offer the families the sympathy ‘of the American people and the prayers of the president’.

…But grieving fathers Robert Kelly and Reg Keys said the meeting would only benefit Mr Bush.

…Mr Keys, 51, said he opposed Mr Bush’s visit, but wanted to meet him to tell him he was responsible for his son’s death.”

Related: US seeks ‘shoot-to-kill’ authorization for snipers in Bush entourage during next week’s visit to the UK: British Home Office demurs.

The issue of immunity is one of a series of extraordinary US demands turned down by Ministers and Downing Street during preparations for the Bush visit.

These included the closure of the Tube network, the use of US air force planes and helicopters and the shipping in of battlefield weaponry to use against rioters. —Guardian.UK