Bush stands over record in last news conference

IN A final news conference, President George W Bush defended his record vigorously and, at times, sentimentally yesterday.

He also admitted many mistakes, from the “Mission Accomplished” banner during a 2003 Iraq speech to the discovery that the alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that he used to justify war did not exist.

After starting what he called “the ultimate exit interview” with a lengthy and personalised thank you to the reporters in the room who have covered him over the eight years of his presidency, Bush showed anger at times when presented with some of the main criticisms of his time in office.