Downing Street Says » Letters to Bereaved Familes/Media Coverage

Asked if the Prime Minister shared Lord Mandelson’s view that News International did not support our Armed Forces, the PMS said that this question referred to Lord Mandelson’s interview on the Today programme this morning where he had been expressing his concerns about the editorial line of a particular newspaper. The most important thing was that we remained completely focused on what we were trying to achieve in Afghanistan, and on the work that our troops were doing on the ground. It was for newspapers to take their own editorial line, but it was important that the public understood that we were in Afghanistan for a number of important reasons, which included first and foremost, ensuring the security of this country.

Asked if Lord Mandelson’s comments on News International had been personal opinions or the Government’s opinions, the PMS said that Lord Mandelson had been asked a number of questions about the situation involving the Prime Minister and Jacqui Janes and had responded. Both the Prime Minister and Lord Mandelson wanted to ensure that the country understood what we were seeking to achieve in Afghanistan and that our troops on the ground had the support they needed.

Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned that Sky’s relationship with The Sun newspaper had meant that their coverage of Jacqui Janes’ criticism had not been impartial, the PMS said that the Prime Minister’s main concern was that we remained focused on what we were trying to achieve in Afghanistan and the country understood why we were there. The Prime Minister had made a statement and responded during his press conference yesterday to the correspondence between himself and Jacqui Janes. It was for newspapers and broadcasters to take their own editorial line, and it was for the Government to explain what we were seeking to achieve in Afghanistan.

Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned that an independent broadcaster such as Sky did not seem to be impartial, the PMS said that there were rules and regulations set in place through Ofcom that had be adhered to in terms of broadcasting.

Asked if the Prime Minister would be changing the letter writing procedure following the criticism he received from Jacqui Janes, the PMS said that the Prime Minister took enormous care and attention over writing letters and felt that a handwritten letter was the most appropriate way of trying to recognise the grief and sorrow that people in that situation felt. We did not comment on processes in No 10 but all operations were constantly monitored and reviewed to ensure that we were doing the right things.

Put that another letter could go out with mistakes in it, the PMS said that that was a hypothetical statement; the Prime Minister handwrote to people because he thought it was important to communicate directly about how he felt on their behalf.

Asked if the Prime Minister’s letters were scanned and archived, the PMS said yes.

Put that somebody in No 10 must have seen the letter before it was sent out, the PMS said that it was not appropriate to comment on No 10 processes. The Prime Minister had apologised for mistakes that were made during his conversation with Jacqui Janes about any perceived offence caused.

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» Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Letters to Bereaved Familes/Media Coverage

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