» Monday, July 18, 2011Phone Hacking
Asked for more details on the assurances given by Andy Coulson, the PMS said that the PM had received personal assurances and given him a second chance. The PMS added that all employees undergo a vetting process. Asked who would oversee the vetting procedure, the PMS said that this was a routine process undertaken by the Civil Service. Asked if Craig Oliver had been in contact with Andy Coulson, the PMS said that she was not a spokesman for Craig Oliver, they could ask him directly. Asked if there had been any contact between the PM and Andy Coulson since he was arrested, the PMS said that there had not been. Asked why the normal Select Committee process – of reporting to Parliament and Parliament responding had been interrupted, the PMS said the PM would not be providing a running commentary on the Select Committee, rather an update on recent events, they should wait to hear what the PM said in his Statement. Asked if the PM would have been compromised in any way if he had known about the Neil Wallis contract, the PMS said that the PM had made his position clear in the press conference, and that he would add to it in his Statement. Asked about Jeremy Clarkson’s comments that the PM had been on a walk with Rebekah Brooks, the PMS said that the PM was being transparent, in line with the criteria advised by the Cabinet Secretary. Asked if the transparency list included social meetings, the PMS said that it included all meetings with Editors, Proprietors and Senior Executives, regardless of the purpose of the meeting. The PMS added that there would be updates to the list coming out as soon as possible. Asked if every Minister that had a meeting with Daniel Finklestein would have to declare it, the PMS said that they would if he fell into the criteria. Asked if the PM agreed with the DPM when he said that cross media ownership laws need to change, the PMS said that there was a judge led inquiry looking at this issue, as well as reviews by the Competition Commission and DCMS. Asked if the PM agreed with Alistair Burt that News Corp is not a fit and proper owner of BSkyB, the PMS said that it was a matter for OFCOM, but that the PM had previously made comments on News Corp saying that it should concentrate on getting its own house in order. Asked if the PM agreed with Liam Fox saying that MPs are in danger of overreacting to this, the PMS said that this issue was of great importance to the public and to MPs, and that it would be debated fully in response to the PM’s statement. Briefing took place at 10:00 | Search for related news Original PMOS briefings are © Crown Copyright. Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland. Click-use licence number C02W0004089. Material is reproduced from the original 10 Downing Street source, but may not be the most up-to-date version of the briefings, which might be revised at the original source. Users should check with the original source in case of revisions. Comments are © Copyright contributors. Everything else is © Copyright Downing Street Says. |
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