George W Bush has been certified as the winner of the presidential election battle in the state of Florida, ensuring that he now has enough electoral college votes to gain the presidency.

The size of Bush's winning margin, just 537 votes, after counts and recounts means that Al gore is likely to mount a legal further challenge in an effort to keep his hopes of victory alive. Bush, however, asked him to back away from this course of action and has announced that he will begin putting together his team for the next government.