» Monday, March 19, 2007
Zimbabwe
Asked if there had been any diplomatic moves regarding Zimbabwe, the PMOS replied that the important thing regarding Zimbabwe was that Africans led the process, and the African leaders had been bolder in a reaction to recent events than before. The Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete visited President Mugabe yesterday, and President Kikwete and President Mbeke had launched a new initiative to address the crisis. The PMOS said that there was a summit of southern African leaders coming up soon, and that would help set out the next steps. For our part, we were keeping the pressure up, which included EU sanctions in the form of freezing assets and banning travel for over 100 of the top leadership in Zimbabwe. We would do everything we could to maintain the pressure, but the important thing in influencing events on the ground was that this was seen as being with the Africans in the lead, rather than us. However, we could fulfil a part in pushing it from behind.
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, March 16, 2007
Zimbabwe
Asked why Lord Triesman could not say this morning why the Prime Minister had not yet intervened in the situation in Zimbabwe, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) said that the Prime Minister had met with the President of Ghana, who is also the head of the Africa Union, this week at which this subject was discussed. The Prime Minister has been very clear on the need to keep up the pressure via the EU and other international organisations. Asked, because of the severity of events in Zimbabwe, had the Prime Minister had been in touch today, the PMS said she would check.
Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Lance Corporal Matthew Hull
Asked if there was a reaction from the Prime Minister regarding the verdict of unlawful killing of Lance Corporal Matthew Hull, the PMS said that she could not comment as the verdict was just announced as she came to brief the parliamentary lobby. She added that as the Prime Minister had set out previously, we had expressed regret for the distress that had been caused to the families involved, but in terms of the inquiry and the inquest she was unable to react further at this stage.
Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2)
Home Office
Asked if it was true that the Foreign Secretary had threatened to resign over the Home Secretary's security plans, the PMS said that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had already fully dismissed the story and had confirmed it was totally untrue and 'not her style'. This was a serious issue and it is being treated with seriousness. The PMS went on to say that when this issue has been raised before it has been made clear that reports that the SIS might have to report to the Home Secretary are wrong. Asked when a decision regarding the Home Office could be expected from Cabinet, the PMS said it was a serious issue and one that is complex and therefore it was to be expected that it would take time to consider it and a decision would be made when the Government was ready to make a decision. Asked if it would be a short-term discussion, the PMS said that the decision would happen when the decision happens.
Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Smoking
Asked if the Prime Minister was in agreement with the Chancellor over the aspiration to have a non-smoking nation, how many people smoked in No.10 and if the PMS herself was a smoker, the PMS said that she did not answer personal questions, just questions regarding the Prime Minister. In terms of a survey of smokers in Downing Street she had not conducted one before she left for this morning's briefing. The PMS added that the Prime Minister was committed to reducing the ill health effects of smoking, as reporters would see by the smoking ban in public places which comes in force later this year.
Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Police Inquiry
Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)
Miscellaneous
Asked if it was normal for the Prime Minister to attack businessmen as he had done when describing ex-Royal Bank of Scotland chairman, the PMS said she did not recognise that particular characterisation of the Prime Minister's remarks but as she had not yet seen the transcript she would rather wait until she had before commenting. Put to her that the Prime Minister had described Sir George Matthewson as 'guilty of self-indulgent ...putting forward an absurd economic argument'; the PMS said she would look into the comments.
Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
» Thursday, March 15, 2007
Police Inquiry
Asked whether John Yates had written to the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) said she was not aware of any such letter. Asked the usual police question, the PMS said no. Asked whether there was any response to the continuing investigation, as the Prime Minister had said he hoped the investigation would wrap up as soon as possible, the PMS said we had always been clear that timing of the investigation was solely a matter for the police. Asked whether there was a change to the timing of when the Prime Minister left office, as he had always said he did not want to leave office until this matter had been resolved, the PMS said again the timing was a matter for the police, and she would not get drawn into saying anything further on the matter.
Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
Forthcoming Business
The Leader said that, on Monday, March 19, the debate would be: second reading of the Consumer, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] (Ian McCartney and Jim Fitzpatrick for the Government), followed by a motion to approve a Ways and Means Resolution on the UK Borders Bill. On Tuesday, March 20: a debate on the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade on a motion for the Adjournment of the House (John Prescott and Meg Munn). Wednesday, March 21 - Chancellor of the Exchequer: Budget Statement; Thursday, March 22 - Continuation of the Budget debate David Miliband and John Healey); Friday, March 23 -Private Members Bills.
Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)
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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