Gordon Brown vowed not to smile even once at the Beijing Olympics, a sign that he is cross with China over its human rights record.

The prime minister told reporters that even one of his forced toothy grins will be out.

"I'll be there towards the very end of the event to accept the torch on behalf of the London Olympics. But I have told my Beijing hosts not to expect me to look like I'm enjoying it. I have in fact asked for an arse numbing seat and just plain tap water throughout the proceedings. I'm there to do a job of work, not for a knees up."