Clinton lays praise on Brown

The former US president said he was not about to predict the Prime Minister's demise, and called on him to apply his talents to working through the economic turbulence facing the country.

He said it would be "difficult to maintain a very high level of popularity" for any politician amid the increasing costs of living and soaring petrol prices.

The Premier had to "trust the people" to "make a good judgment" whenever he decided to call a General Election.

Mr Clinton's support came as it was announced that Mr Brown will hold a special Cabinet meeting outside London and will put tackling "fuel poverty" at the top of his political agenda.

It is expected to form a key element of Mr Brown's political fightback, along with a Cabinet reshuffle and the publication of an economic recovery plan, both expected in September.

The package is thought to include measures to help vulnerable households struggling with rising energy costs.

The Sun newspaper reported that an important plank of that will be a temporary scrapping of stamp duty.

Ministers however appear to be moving away from the idea of a windfall tax on the profits of the energy companies called for by some Labour left-wingers and trade unionists.

In an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Clinton said he had known Mr Brown since he first met him 20 years ago and was still in contact.