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» Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Russia

Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with President Bush's characterisation and comments of the pressures facing dissidents across the world, especially with regards to Russia and its reform process, as it appeared to be "derailed", the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that as he had said this morning, people had to only go back to the EU Summit at Lahkti to see that there were concerns across Europe about developments and relations with Russia. As the PMOS had said yesterday, it was up to Russia to decide what sort of relationship it wanted; we wanted it to be constructive, but part of being constructive meant sharing the same values both politically and economically. The question was: would Russia want that too?

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Police Inquiry

Asked if the Prime Minister or any other Downing Street staff members had been re-interviewed by the police in the last few days, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister had not been interviewed. With regards to development s today, today was a simple formality, and the rest was a matter for the CPS.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Scottish First Minister

Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to the Scottish First Minister, the PMOS said that he was not aware that the Prime Minister had spoken to any First Minister in the busy period since we had returned from Africa.

Briefing took place at 15:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Security and Counter Terrorism

Asked if there was anything else the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) could say on what had been said by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Home Secretary regarding detention, the PMOS said that it would be better to leave any comment until Thursday. However the important thing was that the position has always been, for instance on questioning suspects, that we want to have a longer period but there needs to be a consensus. We do what we believe is necessary to support the police and it will be in that general ethos that the proposals to be published on Thursday will be seen.

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

EU Veto on Home Affairs

Asked if the Prime Minister intended to give up the veto on justice, the PMOS said that firstly this was not Europe week, that would be in two weeks time. Secondly, in terms of the overall issue our position has been that we would retain control of our law and order policy and that is what we will do. Asked if the Prime Minister would accept a time limiting op out, the PMOS said that he would not get involved in the detailed discussions two weeks ahead of the EU Summit or hypothetical and speculative territory. The basic principle was that we retain control. Put to the PMOS that the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee thought it should be a matter for hot discussion, the PMOS said he did not think page two of the Daily Telegraph qualified as a matter of hot discussion.

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

Britishness

Asked what the Prime Minister thought about the idea of a Britishness day, the PMOS said that if reporters looked at what the kernel of the Prime Minister's approach to this issue had been in a series of speeches, it was that on the one hand, we should pursue integrating people into the community at large while at the same time recognising diversity. Therefore these are ideas put forward as part of that debate and therefore what the Prime Minister does is welcome the debate. Asked if the Prime Minister saw anything new in the debate, such as every home having a flag outside as in America the PMOS said what was happening was a move from the general principle to specific proposals and what is right and proper is that there should be a debate. Asked if the Prime Minister would be taking part in the debate, the PMOS it was up to the Prime Minister to decide.

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

G8 and Russia

Asked what kind of co-ordination was there for a common response to President Putin and what did that do to the prospects for a bilateral between the Prime Minister and President Putin at the G8, the PMOS said he wanted to make one point. There was one thing that people need to be careful about; obviously President Putin's comments means that there will be a general discussion about this issue at some stage during the summit, but let's be clear, the kernel of the summit remained Africa and Climate Change. That remained the case, so therefore that was the subject where there will be the most discussion. The PMOS added in response to the reporter's question, there was not that much needed in terms of coordination. If you looked at the EU Informal Summit in Lahti, the EU was not shy in putting forward its views to President Putin on that occasion. If you looked at the EU/Russia Summit recently, the same thing happened. It was not a question of people ganging up on Russia, it was people expressing their views and concerns but also a desire to have a genuine, constructive relationship.

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

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