» Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Military Video

Asked if the Prime Minister would be discussing the "blue on blue" incident during his meeting with General Petraeus, the PMOS replied that he trusted Lobby were aware of the latest statement from the US that they believed that they could now make this material available to the inquest. It would probably come up in the meeting in some form, but in this context.

Asked that given this change in tack were the US no longer treating the leaking as a criminal matter, the PMOS replied that this was a matter for the US, not for us. This was a genuinely difficult matter. First and foremost it was obviously difficult for the family of those killed, and we should pay respect to them. Secondly however, it was genuinely difficult in intelligence terms, for reasons that to explain would be to undermine the confidentiality that must surround such matters. Therefore we should treat this with due seriousness.

Asked whether it was the leaking that should be treated with due seriousness, or was he referring to the whole matter, the PMOS replied that he was referring to the whole matter. There were genuine issue at the heart of this, not taking away from the tragic circumstances that occurred.

Put to him that since this video was considered classified by our significant ally, did making it public against their will not constitute a criminal offence, the PMOS replied that he would not be getting into legal matters.

Asked if there would now be a leak inquiry, the PMOS replied that this was a matter for others rather than us as it was not our video.

Put to him that the way in which he answered the last question implied that the Americans leaked the video, the PMOS replied that he was not implying this in any way. What he was saying was that the issues of intelligence and confidentiality were first and foremost a matter for the US rather than us.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Search for related news

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