Downing Street Says » 2009 » November

» Monday, November 9, 2009

Prime Minister’s Letter

Asked when the precedent was set for Prime Ministers to hand-write letters of condolence, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that it was his understanding that Gordon Brown as Prime Minister had always done this. The PMS added that it was also his understanding that the Prime Minister’s predecessor also used to […]

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Europe

Asked if the Prime Minister would have any bilaterals in Berlin today and what the Prime Minister’s response would be to the question of whether he would stand in the way of David Miliband taking the job of High Representative, the PMS replied that there might be a series of what the Americans called brush-bys […]

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Letters to bereaved families

Asked what the process was regarding the Prime Minister’s letters to bereaved families, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said that the journalist was referring to the story about the letter to Jacqui Janes, which had been reported in the press. The first thing to say was that the Prime Minister took enormous care and time […]

Briefing took place at 10:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

EU Presidency/Foreign Minister

Asked if the Prime Minister would be campaigning for Tony Blair’s candidacy as EU President in Berlin tonight, the PMS said that the Prime Minister would continue to campaign for the candidacy of Tony Blair as President of the EU. If the opportunity came up tonight then the Prime Minister would reiterate his support for […]

Briefing took place at 10:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Afghanistan

Asked what the Prime Minister would say to people who thought it was time to withdraw British troops from Afghanistan, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had set out our strategy in Afghanistan on Friday. The Prime Minister felt that Afghanisation was a critically important part of the next stage of the campaign and […]

Briefing took place at 10:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Transaction tax

Asked if the Prime Minister had been aware that his proposals on a transaction tax over the weekend would be knocked back so quickly, the PMS said that it was important to put this into context; the Prime Minister had set out four options; the insurance fees for systemic risk, resolution funds, contingent capital arrangements […]

Briefing took place at 10:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

MPs’ expenses

Asked how the Prime Minister felt when he found out that Sir Ian Kennedy might not implement the Kelly ban on MPs employing spouses, the PMS said that there was speculation about what the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) may or may not do, but the Prime Minister’s view remained that it was now for […]

Briefing took place at 10:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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