But according to the people familiar with the matter, at issue is a kind of over-the-counter deal that allows banks or brokerages to sell bonds to investors at prices higher than they paid, pocketing the difference.

WSJ: China Probe Focuses on Trading of Bonds

But again, that would be a separate matter from the issue that you raised at the top of the question.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

As a matter of fact, as we look at this issue, we know this is an issue that affects people across the board.

NPR: NAACP Seeks a Moratorium on Sub-prime Foreclosures

Mr Davies said that although agriculture is a devolved matter he was keen to highlight the issue at Westminster.

BBC: Sheep in snow in Flintshire

What I hope is that with this announcement, we're underscoring both our seriousness in meeting the energy challenge and our willingness to look at this challenge not as a partisan issue but as a matter that's far more important than politics -- because the choices we make will affect not just the next generation but many generations to come.

WHITEHOUSE: Investing in Clean, Safe Nuclear Energy

What I hope is that with this announcement, we're underscoring both our seriousness in meeting the energy challenge and our willingness to look at this challenge not as a partisan issue but as a matter that's far more important than politics - because the choices we make will affect not just the next generation but many generations to come.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

Yet he also insisted it was not about his authority or a matter of confidence in his leadership and that to make it such would only prove a distraction from the issue at hand.

BBC: Analysis