Many of those who died were sleeping as Typhoon Washi caused rivers to burst their banks, leading to landslides.

BBC: Philippines floods: Mindanao struggles with aftermath

Pre-publication leaks tried to cast Mr Brown as the champion of defence: he would fund fully two new aircraft carriers, as well as the Typhoon fighter and the Joint Strike Fighter, all the while maintaining the army at about 100, 000 men and remaining committed to the war in Afghanistan.

ECONOMIST: Future defence policy

The Ministry of Defence is deploying two warships, Typhoon fighter jets and Puma helicopters as part of their Olympics security arrangements.

CNN: UK deploying 1,200 extra Olympics troops