Downing Street Says » John McCain

» Wednesday, February 6, 2008

John McCain

The Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) began by informing Lobby that Senator John McCain would be meeting the Prime Minister later this week. Senator McCain was in London on Friday and had requested a meeting, which obviously the Prime Minister was happy to grant.

Asked if it was a private visit, the PMS replied that John McCain was passing through London and had requested a meeting with the Prime Minister, which of course the Prime Minister was happy to grant.

Asked when the Prime Minister last met Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had not met them recently. Asked if he met either of them on his Washington visit, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had not. He had met Bill Clinton, but not Hilary.

Asked if the Prime Minister had actually met Mr Obama, the PMS replied that he was not aware that they had met.

Asked if the Prime Minister had met John McCain before, the PMS replied that he did not think that they had met.

Put that John Major was seen to be "anti-Clinton" which seemed to be damaging to UK/US relation, and asked if the Prime Minister was not concerned that he might seem to be showing a preference in the American Presidential elections, the PMS replied that the Government’s position was that this was entirely a matter for the US people. We took no view on who should be the next American President, as you would expect. Senator McCain was a senior American politician, and it was not unusual when such people were in London and requested meetings that the Prime Minister and other Ministers met them.

Asked if the Prime Minister had met with Rudi Giuliani, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister did have a meeting with Rudi Giuliani in the autumn when he was in London.

Asked if the Prime Minister would have any problem meeting with Mr Obama, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister would be happy to meet any senior American figure, that was entirely normal.

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