MERKEL VERSUS BROWN

Don't mention the economy! Miliband hits back at Germans over attack on recovery plan... but Brown insists 'Europe is fully united'
By Benedict Brogan and Michael Lea

The bitter diplomatic row between London and Berlin intensified this morning after David Miliband hit back at a blistering German attack on Gordon Brown.

The Prime Minister was publicly slated for his handling of the recession in an extraordinary outburst by a senior aide to chancellor Angela Merkel.

But as Mr Miliband hit back at Mr Brown's critics, accusing them of having links to the Tory party in Britain, Mr Brown insisted Europe was 'fully united'.

Mr Brown hailed agreement over huge EU-wide fiscal stimulus today, insisting the 'unanimous' deal struck in Brussels answered speculation over differences of opinion between Britain and Germany.

It was the second time in two days that a member of Germany's ruling coalition has broken with diplomatic convention to deliver a highly personal attack on Mr Brown's economic record.
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