Bush daughters in booze trouble

Chuy's restaurant in a fashionable area of Austin

Police in Texas are investigating complaints that the twin daughters of President George W Bush tried to buy alcohol illegally at a restaurant in Austin.

Barbara and Jenna Bush: Investigation

Barbara and Jenna Bush, both 19, are said to have used an identification card belonging to somebody over the legal drinking age, which in America is 21.

The incident, at Chuy's restaurant in a fashionable area of Austin, comes only two weeks after Jenna was ordered on an alcohol awareness course after police found her drinking beer in an Austin bar.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer declined to comment on the incident, saying it was a "private family matter".

Strictly enforced

BBC correspondent Nick Bryant says underage drinking laws are strictly enforced in the US, but fun-loving college students habitually try to break them.

Earlier this month, Jenna pleaded no contest to a charge of being a minor in possession of alcohol after being found drinking beer in an Austin bar.

She was ordered to perform eight hours of community service as well as being sent on a six-hour course to learn about alcohol abuse.

Jenna is a first-year student at the University of Texas, while Barbara studies at Yale University in Connecticut.

Family history

Mr Bush admitted to having a drink problem in his younger days.

Shortly before last November's presidential election it was revealed that he was arrested for drink-driving 25 years ago after drinking several beers in a bar.

He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge, paid a $150 fine and had his driving licence suspended.

But in 1986 Mr Bush appeared to go through a religious awakening and quit drinking.