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Prime Minister David Cameron has defended the UK a the G20 Summit, making reference
to the Beatles and One Direction. This comes after a Russian official reportedly dismissed
Britain as just a small island that no one pays attention to.
"Yes, we are a small island. In fact, a small group of islands, but I would challenge anyone
to come up with a country with a prouder history, with a bigger heart, with a greater resilience.
As I said, this is a country that cleared the European continent of fascism, that took
slavery off the high seas. We're a country that's invented many of the things that are
most worthwhile, everything from the Industrial Revolution, to the television to the worldwide
web. Our music delights and amuses millions. The Beatles, Elgar and One Direction have
conquered the world. We've invented most of the sports the world most likes playing. As
I said earlier, if I go on too long about our literature, our art, our philosophy, our
contribution, including of course the world's language... If I start talking about this
blessed plot, this sceptured isle, this England... I might have to put it to music, so I might
as well leave it there." The patriotic prime minister posted his speech
online at the end of the summit in St Petersburg. He has noted that Mr Putin's chief spokesman
had denied making the remark.