Simpson refuses to meet President Bush

Jessica Simpson has declined an invitation by the National Republican Congressional Committee to attend a fund raiser where she may have been able to talk to President George Bush.

The refusal came amidst fears that the conversation might be seen as politicising her favourite charity, Operation Smile. Operation Smile is a non-profit organisation that offers free plastic surgery for children with facial deformities and is a non-partisan group.

Simpson is currently in Washington to lobby members of Congress on the group's behalf, but said that she felt unable to accept the invitation to the fundraiser, also held in Washington tonight, as it would be seen as aligning the group with the Republican party.

One source close to the singer told Reuters: "It just feels wrong. She would love to meet the President and talk about Operation Smile... but she can't do it at a fund-raiser for the Republican Party."

Commenting on Simpson's stance, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti said: "It's never been a problem for Bono. I find it hard to believe she would pass up an opportunity to lobby the President on behalf of Operation Smile."