Downing Street Says » Police Inquiry

Asked if she was aware that the police were talking to the Prime Minister when she left Downing Street for this morning’s briefing, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman replied that Tom Kelly the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson (PMOS) had said all along that he would tell the Lobby if the Prime Minister had been interviewed by the police. The point at which the PMOS knew the interview had taken place was about 20 minutes before he briefed the Lobby to that effect in the Lower Gallery at 1.30pm that afternoon.

Put to her that the Lobby had been misled earlier and that the Prime Minister had chosen not to tell the PMOS so that when the question was asked this morning, he could answer ‘no change’, the PMS pointed out that the interview started after 11am that morning and again added that the PMOS had stated all along that he would inform the Lobby if the Prime Minister had been interviewed, which he did. Put to her repeatedly that the Prime Minister had deliberately misled them, the PMS repeated that she disagreed with that position and that the PMOS had said all along that he would inform them if the Prime Minister had been interviewed, which is exactly what he did that afternoon at 1.30pm.

Asked if she could confirm when the Prime Minister knew he would be interviewed, as he must have been notified days beforehand, the PMS asked that people did not jump to conclusions and reiterated that she would give no detail of the process. Asked if this date was chosen with mutual agreement, the PMS repeated that she would give no detail about the process. Asked to confirm that the PMOS did not know about the interview until 1.10pm, the PMS said that as soon as they were able to let the Lobby know that the Prime Minister had been interviewed, and the status of the interview, they were informed.

Put to her that the Prime Minister was taken through a list of individuals by the police that went beyond the peerages, the PMS replied that she was not present during the interview and in any case would absolutely not comment on any further element of the interview.

Put to her that the Prime Minister had prior notice of when he was to be interviewed, since he knew that he was not going to be interviewed under caution and therefore would not need a lawyer, the PMS said she would not go into any detail with regard to timings.

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» Thursday, December 14, 2006

Police Inquiry

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