John McCain has told the London Telegraph that if elected president he will fight the image of the “ugly American” seen abroad and work to rebuild America’s alliances.

If elected president McCain told the Telegraph he will also close down the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison, move all the prisoners to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and “truly expedite the judicial proceedings in their cases”.

McCain also said he would focus his attention on combatting global climate change and reducing gas emissions, issues he says are important “in particular” throughout Europe.

The article also noted McCain’s gaffe concerning government subsidies for contraception to prevent sexual diseases if abstinence were not being practiced. McCain appeared befuddled by the question asking an aide to provide him with his position on it.