» Monday, February 26, 2007

Deportations-Abu Qatada

Asked for the Prime Minister's reaction to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) decision to continue the deportation of Abu Qatada, especially in light of the meeting with King Abdullah, the PMOS said that the Home Office would put out a detailed statement. However, the PMOS drew journalists' attention firstly to the fact that SIAC had said that Abu Qatada presented a threat to UK's national security and could be deported. Secondly, the court had recognised the value of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and the assurances linked to them. The court had said that "...we saw no justification for the comments from NGOs that the UK Government's attempt to negotiate an rely on MOUs was an attempt to evade the UK's international obligation...". The PMOS said that that was important in this case in that we had agreed an MOU with Jordan. However, the significance went beyond this case as well.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Deportations-Abu Qatada

Asked for the Prime Minister's reaction to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) decision to continue the deportation of Abu Qatada, especially in light of the meeting with King Abdullah, the PMOS said that the Home Office would put out a detailed statement. However, the PMOS drew journalists' attention firstly to the fact that SIAC had said that Abu Qatada presented a threat to UK's national security and could be deported. Secondly, the court had recognised the value of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and the assurances linked to them. The court had said that "...we saw no justification for the comments from NGOs that the UK Government's attempt to negotiate an rely on MOUs was an attempt to evade the UK's international obligation...". The PMOS said that that was important in this case in that we had agreed an MOU with Jordan. However, the significance went beyond this case as well.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Inside Story-Al Qaeda plot

Put that during an "Inside Story" documentary tomorrow evening, Lord Stevens had said that the Prime Minister was the target of an Al Qaeda plot, and was there anything new to say about it, the PMOS replied that we did not comment on security matters.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Inside Story-Al Qaeda plot

Put that during an "Inside Story" documentary tomorrow evening, Lord Stevens had said that the Prime Minister was the target of an Al Qaeda plot, and was there anything new to say about it, the PMOS replied that we did not comment on security matters.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Prime Minister-By Election

Asked to comment further on the reports that the Prime Minister would step down early and cause a by-election, the PMOS said that he did not recognise that story; the Prime Minister was getting on with the job of being Prime Minister.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Prime Minister-By Election

Asked to comment further on the reports that the Prime Minister would step down early and cause a by-election, the PMOS said that he did not recognise that story; the Prime Minister was getting on with the job of being Prime Minister.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Police Inquiry

No.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

» Friday, February 23, 2007

Missile Defence

Asked if the Prime Minister had lobbied President Bush on locating a military base in the UK, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) said she could confirm that discussions with the US had taken place at varying levels but she would not get into specifics of those.  The discussions on additional support for the missile defence system were at an early stage and no decisions have been taken as to whether any element of that system would be based in the UK or as to where.  Asked if the Prime Minister had personally been involved in discussions, the PMS said contact had been at varying levels but she would not get into the specifics of who had spoken to who and when.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Troops

Asked when the Prime Minister announced that troops were coming back from Iraq did the Prime Minister know that more troops were to be sent to Afghanistan, the PMS said as always troop numbers are kept under constant review, but these matters would be for the Defence Secretary to announce.  Asked if there was a linkage between a withdrawal from one area and the increase in another, the PMS said if she were to answer that question that would be undermining what she had just said about it being for the Defence Secretary to comment on.  Asked if the Defence Secretary was making a statement to the House on Monday, the PMS said that any announcement would be for the Defence Secretary, as would the timing of any statement.  Put to the PMS that reporters can be told about announcements in advance, the PMS said that it was a matter for Parliament and the Defence Secretary and it was appropriate that they make any announcement.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

Serious Fraud Office (SFO)

Asked if the Prime Minister still had faith in the SFO, the PMS said that both the Attorney General's office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs had rejected that day's newspaper report and had said that what was being said was without truth or foundation.  There is currently a review underway, but the purpose of the review, which has been commissioned jointly by Robert Wardle and the Attorney General, is to strengthen, not to disband the SFO.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)

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