In the lobby bar of his Knightsbridge hotel at the end of what must have been a long day, Halldór Ásgrímsson, Iceland’s prime minister, looks tired but his bright blue eyes have retained their glint. Mr Ásgrímsson is in London to meet his UK counterpart, Tony Blair, and outposts of Icelandic companies in the UK.
Despite the sudden concerns over the Icelandic currency and warnings its economy was overheating, he remains calm and cool. “I am not particularly worried,” he shrugs.