He was cordial, but he was candid.

Sitting next to his best British buddy, David Lammy, US vice president JD Vance politely but firmly spelt out how the two countries are deeply divided on the Middle East and free speech.

As the pair met on Friday, first came the cordial part of the VP's remarks.

He began by stressing the "very special relationship between our two countries". Flattery always goes down well in meetings between UK and US leaders.

British politicians love to hear American politicians talk about "the special relationship". The cynical view, however, is that it's something the UK cares much more about than the US.

But after the pleasantries came the candid part, as the splits on the big issues were laid bare in the vice president's answers to questions from reporters.

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