EU external relations commissioner Chris Patten has said in an interview with the FT that Europe can rebuild its alliance with the US.

The former Conservative chairman says that Britain and France working together will hold the key in restoring a strong relationship with America following the fallout over Iraq.

"There is so much less difference between Britain and France than the present dispute suggests," he says.

But writing n the Telegraph, David Frum, author of president Bush's "axis of evil" speech, says Tony Blair should be more interested in partnering America than seeking closer integration with the European Union.