EEFFORTS to secure a global response to the economic downturn will dominate talks between Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel today.

The Prime Minister, who last night met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy over dinner in Paris, is trying to lay the ground for agreement at a meeting of the G20 in London in April.

He departed for the brief tour as his Government unveiled a multi-billion package aimed at unblocking lending to smaller firms.But the measure was overshadowed by a minister's claim to have seen some "green shoots" of economic recovery which sparked opposition claims Labour was out of touch with the reality of the recession.

Business Minister Baroness Vadera later said she was sorry if her comments had been misinterpreted and insisted there was no complacency on the part of the Government in tackling the crisis.

Shriti Vadera's fierce reputation earned her the nickname "Shriti the Shriek".

She may not be well known outside Westminster but her close relationship with the Prime Minister led some to dub her "Gordon Brown's representative on earth".

She spent eight years at the Treasury where she became a close adviser to Mr Brown who is said to have been her greatest champion.

Other colleagues were less enthusiastic for a woman who was known to reduce junior members of staff to tears.

Her forceful approach was demonstrated during the demise of Railtrack in 2001.