Tony Blair has defended his plans to extend European Union defence cooperation, but has vowed that the move will not undermine Britain's links with America.

"The fact is British participation on the right terms will ensure that European defence does indeed develop in a way fully consistent with NATO. I would not contemplate anything else," he said.

He added that there is "no sane alternative to America and Europe working together".

Ahead of President George W Bush's visit to the UK next week, the prime minister also spoke out against those likely to protest against US actions in Iraq.

"I say to those who will protest when President Bush comes: Protest if you will, that is your democratic right...But accept that the task now is not to argue about what has been, but to make what is happening now work - and work for the very Iraqis we all say we want to help," Blair said.

A Populus survey for today's Times has found that half the public believes that the strong personal relationship between Blair and Bush is bad for the country.

According to the poll, only one in four voters approves of the president's handling of the war and nearly three fifths of voters (59 per cent) think America's standing in the world has diminished under the Bush presidency.