Five Mr Presidents have lunch

What must surely be the mother of all power lunches took place at the White House yesterday. The guests included the man who takes over the reigns of power on January 20, Barack Obama, the host George W. Bush, Bill Clinton (pictured from left to right), George Bush senior and Jimmy Carter.

Although it is not known what was eaten, the five political giants all ordered a la carte from the White House Mess, the navy-run staff restaurant which offers the sort of food you might find at Thank God It’s Friday. Visitors to the White House during the Dubya era have reported choosing the Signature Steak, West Wing Burgers, Spaghetti Marinara and a calorie-saturated dessert called 'Chocolate Freedom'. Expect a Chicago deep pan pizza to be added shortly.

Obama is unlikely to have opted for Chocolate Freedom: he is said not to be a pudding man, preferring to snack, according to one insider, on a diet of nuts, trail mix and granola bars during the day.

What was discussed will probably not become public until one of the five reveals all in a memoir, but before they went in it was strictly small talk in the Oval Office. "I just love that rug," Clinton drawled, looking down at the pale gold affair which was designed by Laura Bush and which will shortly be packed off to the family's Texas home.