Sydney - Former prime minister John Howard was criticized in Australia and the United States on Thursday for accepting an invitation from President George W Bush to stay at Blair House in Washington on the eve of receiving a medal from his close friend and staunch ally.

Howard's acceptance meant president-elect Barack Obama and his family were denied the traditional honour of staying at Blair House before shifting to the White House.

Obama, his wife Michelle and young daughters, Malia and Sasha, are staying at a Washington hotel until the inauguration.

Letter writers to Australian newspapers castigated Howard for insisting on staying January 12 when he could have followed the example of former British prime minister Tony Blair and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. Blair and Uribe, who are also to receive the Medal of Freedom from Bush, declined offers to stay at the official guest house in Washington.

Washington radio host Bill Press accused Bush and Howard of bad form.

"I have to say with all due respect to our friends in Australia that I think our future leader far outranks, or should far outrank, your former leader," he said. "I think it's an insult to the American people."

A spokesman for Howard said the invitation was accepted months ago. "The Howards will be staying for one night as per the invitation from President Bush," the spokesman said. (dpa)