Brown 'paid $40,000 for US speechwriters'
Gordon Brown is reported to have paid the Washington-based speechwriting company
Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 12:18
By Richard James.
Gordon Brown has paid more than $40,000 (£24,214) to a Washington-based speechwriting company to help in addresses to US audiences, it has been alleged.
The Guardian newspaper claims the prime minister has paid the fee to the West Wing Writers during his time in 10 Downing Street and previously as chancellor.
One speech in particular is highlighted - Mr Brown's address to the US Congress in March.
The speech received some 19 standing ovations and was widely praised for its vision on the economic crisis and dramatically improving his standing on the international stage.
The Guardian, however, claims today at least some of the speech was the work of the speechwriting company which charged the prime minster $7,000 (£4,300) for the pleasure.
The paper reports the figures became public after West Wing Writers filed documents with the US justice department.