Downing Street Says » Linda Norgrove

» Monday, October 11, 2010

Linda Norgrove

Put that the Foreign Secretary ought to have reassessed his plans to authorise the rescue attempt of British aid worker Linda Norgrove, the PMS pointed out that the Prime Minister had addressed this in his press conference adding that the issue had been kept under constant review, COBRA had met 12 times and provided updated advice, but that had not led to a change in strategy.

Asked how updates on Linda Norgrove had been received, the PMS referred the media to the comments made by the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons today.

Asked if the Foreign Secretary had the opportunity to revoke his decision to rescue Linda Norgrove, the PMS stated that at any time a different judgement could have been taken, but the advice remained the same.

Asked at what time General Petraeus telephoned the Prime Minister, the PMS confirmed that Downing Street had received a call in the early hours.

Asked if UK forces had led a rescue operation for US nationals, the PMS replied he was unaware of such circumstances, but confirmed British forces have been involved in the rescue of other foreign nationals.

Asked who led such rescue missions, the PMS referred journalists to the words of the Prime Minister today. Forces with knowledge of the terrain and understanding of the situation in the area led such missions.

Asked about the Prime Minister’s meeting with General Petraeus, the PMS said it had been in the diary for a number of weeks.

Asked if there were plans for telephone calls with President Obama and if an inquiry would be led by the US or jointly, the PMS stated that the terms of the inquiry would be worked through with the US and that it would be a joint US/UK inquiry. General Petraeus had invited the UK to take part and we had accepted his invitation. The PMS said no telephone calls were currently scheduled with Obama.

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