Shell joins foie gras on the menu

David Cameron gave Nicolas Sarkozy a spent warship shell casing yesterday as a gift to mark the one-year anniversary of the Libyan revolution.

The high-explosive remnant is one of three recovered from the 209 shells fired from HMS Liverpool during its involvement in Libya.

Mr Cameron holds one and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has the other.

Its inscription reads: “Presented by the Prime Minister to President Sarkozy on the occasion of the UK-France summit and the first anniversary of the Libyan revolution, 17 February 2012.”

Liverpool was the first navy vessel to be fired on for 30 years while it was off Libya last year.

Meanwhile, British ministers feasted on the finest French cuisine during their working lunch at the Elysee Palace.

First course at the lunch was beef cheek terrine with foie gras, followed by chicken with pasta. That was topped off with French favourite mille feuille with hazelnut ice cream.

They were joined by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Mr Hammond, Foreign Secretary William Hague, and Energy Secretary Ed Davey, who had spent the morning in talks with their French counterparts.