A new Cabinet committee has been established to monitor relations between Britain and America, in the wake of the Iraq war.

Chaired by foreign secretary Jack Straw, the committee's members include chancellor Gordon Brown, deputy prime minister John Prescott, home secretary David Blunkett and defence secretary Geoff Hoon.

Former ministers are interpreting the move as an attempt at a "brake" on Tony Blair's closeness to President Bush.

"It is very odd and unique," said former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle.

"I would love to know what its terms of reference are.

"It may be a way of making sure other people are brought in on the American agenda to ensure that some of the cock-ups that have happened don't occur in future."