Britain has fired both barrels back at Russia after it dismissed Britain as nothing but a "small island" at the G8 summit in St Petersburg.
Mr Cameron said Britain saved Europe from fascism, abolished slavery and 'invented most of the things worth inventing'.
He refuted Russian claims that 'no one pays any attention to' the country he leads, insisting its art, sport, literature, diplomacy, philosophy, music, economy and military put it among the great nations of the world.
And he even ridiculed that the UK was just one island, declaring he did not want the people of Northern Island, Orkney or Shetland to 'feel left out' from his tribute to the nation's great history.
Tory MP Henry Smith wrote on Twitter: 'Putin really is a tosser.'
'Britain might be a small island but it saved Europe from fascism, abolished slavery and 'invented anything worth inventing': Furious Cameron hits back at Russia's taunt that no-one pays any attention to the UK
- Prime Minister says no other country has a 'prouder history, bigger heart or greater resilience'
- UK leads the world in art, sport, music, philosophy and diplomacy, he says
- Tribute likened to Hugh Grant's 'small country' speech in film Love Actually
[*]Russia mocked the UK's size and boasted that oligarchs 'bought Chelsea'
[*]Jibe sparked furious response from Britain at G20 summit in St Petersburg
[*]Tory MP Henry Smith writes on Twitter: 'Putin really is a tosser'
By James Chapman, In St Petersburg and Matt Chorley, In London
6 September 2013
Daily Mail
Blast: Prime Minister David Cameron, pictured today, hit back at Russia's dismissal of Britain as a small island
Furious David Cameron today fired back at Russia's dismissal of Britain as a 'small island', reeling off a passionate, patriotic defence of the nation's global strengths and triumphs.
Suggesting his tribute to Great Britain be 'set to music', Mr Cameron argued it had saved Europe from fascism, abolished slavery and 'invented most of the things worth inventing'.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the G20 in St Petersburg, refuted Russian claims that 'no one pays any attention to' the country he leads, insisting its art, sport, literature, diplomacy, philosophy, music, economy and military put it among the great nations of the world.
And he even ridiculed that the UK was just one island, declaring he did not want the people of Northern Island, Orkney or Shetland to 'feel left out' from his tribute to the nation's great history.
The extraordinary diplomatic row erupted last night when Russia dismissed Britain as ‘just a small island no one pays any attention to'.
It meant the summit of world leaders descended into acrimony over planned military strikes on Syria.
In an astonishing attack, Vladimir Putin mocked the UK’s size and influence, and boasted that Soviet oligarchs had ‘bought Chelsea’ (the west London football giants are owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich).
Tory MP Henry Smith wrote on Twitter: 'Putin really is a tosser.'
As the controversy erupted, Russian officials flatly denied the remarks – attributed to President Putin’s official spokesman Dmitry Peskov – had ever been made.
But the denial did nothing to contain Mr Cameron's fury, as he declared: 'Britain may be a small island, but I would challenge anyone to find a country with a prouder history, a bigger heart or greater resilience.'
He argued that Britain had 'helped to clear the European continent of fascism' and had remained 'resolute' throughout the Second World War.
'Britain is an island that helped to abolish slavery, that has invented most of the things worth inventing, including every sport currently played around the world, that still today is responsible for art, literature and music that delights the entire world.
'We are very proud of everything we do as a small island - a small island that has the sixth-largest economy, the fourth best-funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history, one of the best records for art and literature and contribution to philosophy and world civilisation.'
The row represents an extraordinary breach of protocol, particularly as Russia is hosting the G20 meeting.
President Putin, a belligerent ally of Syrian tyrant Bashar Assad, has been revelling in British MPs' rejection last week of UK participation in US-led military action.
But the Kremlin’s decision to rub Mr Cameron’s nose in it – with the Prime Minister on Russian soil – has plunged Anglo-Russian relations to a new low.
Excuse me! David Cameron finds German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stolen his seat
Defiant: Mr Cameron today chaired a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria on the sidelines of the G20 summit
Bullish: Mr Cameron and his senior officials arrived at the second day of the G20 determined to rebuff the jibe from Russia
Last night, arriving at the summit venue in St Petersburg, President Obama strode in alone rather than walking in with President Putin.
The war of words with Britain came as Mr Cameron continued to make the case for intervention in Syria despite his defeat in Parliament last week.
Mr Cameron today ruled out any prospect of agreement over Syria at the G20 summit.
He said President Putin remains 'miles away' from the truth of Bashar Assad's use of chemical weapons on his own people.
'This G20 was never going to reach conclusions on Syria,' said the Prime Minister. 'The divisions are too great.
'The Russian position that, as Putin has said, if it is proved it is Assad he will take a different view but he is fairly clear that it is the opposition, is miles away from what I think the truth is and miles away from what lots of us believe.'
Mr Cameron and Mr Putin held one-on-one talks in the early hours of this morning lasting 35 minutes.
The PM added: 'He says to me that he would like to see further evidence of regime culpability and we will go on providing evidence of regime culpability, as will the Americans and others, but I think it will take a lot to change his mind.'
The premiers of Turkey, Canada, Germany and Italy all joined Mr Obama and Mr Cameron in making the case at last night's dinner for a robust international response to Assad's alleged breach of treaties banning the use of chemical weapons.
A SMALL ISLAND WITH A GREAT HISTORY: CAMERON'S FULL TRIBUTE
'Britain may be a small island, but I wouldchallenge anyone to find a country with a prouder history, a bigger heart or greater resilience.
'Britain is an island that has helped to clear the European continent of fascism - and was resolute in doing that throughout World War Two.
'Britain is an island that helped to abolish slavery, that has invented most of the things worth inventing, including every sport currently played around the world, that still today is responsible for art, literature and music that delights the entire world.
'We are very proud of everything we do as a small island - a small island that has the sixth-largest economy, the fourth best-funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history, one of the best records for art and literature and contribution to philosophy and world civilisation.
'For the people who live in Northern Ireland, I should say we are not just an island, we are a collection of islands. I don't want anyone in Shetland or Orkney to feel left out by this.
'I'm thinking of setting this to music.'
