» Friday, June 25, 2004

Cabinet Committees

In the light of questions at yesterday afternoon's press briefing about the establishment of a new Cabinet Committee on UK-US relations, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) informed journalists that the Prime Minister had answered a PQ on 27 May... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Guantanamo Bay

Asked if the Defence Secretary had been expressing the Government's view in an interview on the Today Programme this morning in which he had suggested that he didn't hold out much hope of persuading the US authorities to change... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Education

Asked about the report in today's Times about the shake-up in secondary education, the PMS said everyone was well aware that the Government was currently examining proposals to reform secondary education. People should exercise a little patience and wait... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Euro 2004

Asked the Prime Minister's reaction to the outcome of England's match last night against Portugal, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was disappointed as anyone else. However, he believed that the England team had shown great spirit last... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

» Thursday, June 24, 2004

Cabinet Committees

Asked again about reports that a new Cabinet Committee had been set up to monitor UK-US relations, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that as he had told journalists this morning, we never commented on Cabinet Committees. Asked... Read more.

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

NATO Summit

Asked about next week's NATO Summit in Turkey, the PMOS said that the two key elements would be Iraq and Afghanistan. As was well known, Prime Minister Alawi, on behalf of the Iraqi Government, had issued a request for... Read more.

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

EU Summit

Asked if the Prime Minister would attend an EU Summit next week to discuss candidates for the job of European Commission President, the PMOS said that as the Irish Presidency had stated, a meeting would only be held if... Read more.

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

Waiting Lists

Questioned about waiting lists and waiting times, the PMOS said that John Reid had explained today the position regarding waiting lists. He had said that while it was important to reduce the figures, the reality was that patients started... Read more.

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

CSR

Asked if the Cabinet had reached a final agreement on the CSR this summer, the PMOS said that a date had not yet been set for the CSR. Questioned as to whether the ongoing negotiations between the Treasury and... Read more.

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

Iran

Asked for an update on the release of the eight British servicemen, the PMOS said that they were still at the British Embassy in Tehran. No doubt more details about the incident would emerge once they were out of... Read more.

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

Northern Ireland

Asked about the Northern Ireland talks at Lancaster House tomorrow, the PMOS said that we would take the opportunity to assess the current position. We believed we needed to intensify the process in the early autumn and would set... Read more.

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

Iran

Asked if there would be a Commons Statement on the release of the British Servicemen in Iran, the PMOS said that he wasn't aware of one at this stage. The latest information he had was that the eight Servicemen... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Iraq

The PMOS told journalists that we condemned the latest attacks in Iraq today. Unfortunately, it seemed that they fitted into the predicted pattern of events in the run-up to 30 June. However, as both the Prime Minister and Foreign... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

CSR/Five-Year Plans

Asked if the reason for the delay in the CSR and the fact that some departmental five-year plans would be announced in the autumn was because the Prime Minister had been taking part in the negotiations on spending between... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Cabinet Committees

Asked to confirm today's report in the Independent regarding a new Cabinet Committee to monitor relations with the US, the PMOS said that we never discussed Cabinet Committees, as journalists were well aware.... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

» Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Iran

Asked for an update on the situation regarding the eight detainees currently being held by the Iranian authorities, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that as he had told journalists this morning, we had been informed by the... Read more.

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

PM's Speech/Public Services

Asked if the Prime Minister had been indicating in his speech today that the Government was intending to introduce further measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, the PMOS said it was clear that existing powers had been broadly welcomed at... Read more.

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

Iran

Asked for an update on the situation regarding the eight British military personnel being held in Iran, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that the Iranian authorities had now confirmed to us that they would be releasing the... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Bichard Report/Humberside Police

Asked if the Home Secretary had the power to insist on the removal of the Chief Constable of Humberside Police, the PMOS said that the powers were contained in Section 33 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (amended section... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

CSR

Asked to confirm the report in today's Times suggesting that the CSR had been delayed, the PMOS said that as he had told journalists yesterday, a date had not yet been set for the CSR. Consequently, it could not... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

» Tuesday, June 22, 2004

PM Speech/Public Services

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) briefed journalists on the Prime Minister's speech tomorrow on public services. The Prime Minister would stake out what he called 'the battleground for the future of our public services' in a keynote speech... Read more.

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

Iran

Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned about the continuing detention of eight British military personnel in Iran, the PMOS said that of course we remained concerned. We had been in contact with the Iranian authorities at different levels... Read more.

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

International Development

Asked for a reaction to comments made by Bob Geldof about the Government's spending on aid to developing countries, the PMOS said that since we were in the run-up to the CSR, it was important that any remarks relating... Read more.

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

Europe

(European Constitution) Asked for a reaction to Chris Patten's criticism of the Prime Minister's decision to hold a referendum on the European Constitution, the PMOS said that Mr Patten was obviously entitled to express his opinion, which we recognised... Read more.

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

(European Commission President)

Asked about the Irish Presidency's decision to hold another Summit to discuss nominations for the job of European Commission President, the PMOS said that as he understood it, it would only take place if there was a consensus as... Read more.

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

Iran

Asked the Prime Minister's view on what would appear to be a 'looming crisis' in Iran, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that we had now been told formally by the Iranian authorities that they were holding eight... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

CSR

Asked if a date had been set for the Chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review announcement, the PMOS said not at this stage.... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

European Commission President

Asked to name the candidate for the job of European Commission President whom Denis MacShane had said in an interview this morning everyone had appeared to agree to, the PMOS said he understood that Dr MacShane disagreed with the... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Unison

Asked for a reaction to the intention by Unison delegates today to table a motion calling for the Prime Minister's resignation, the PMOS said that as a Civil Servant he was unable to comment on party political issues. However,... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

» Monday, June 21, 2004

European Commission President

Asked for a reaction to Chancellor Schroeder's suggestion that the new European Commission President should come from either a Euro-zone country or Schengen area, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that he had dealt with this matter on... Read more.

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

European Constitution

Asked what part the Prime Minister would play in the 'yes' campaign for the referendum, the PMOS pointed out that the Treaty had only been signed on Friday night. Once the formalities had been dealt with we would be... Read more.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

European Constitution

Asked about the Prime Minister's Statement to the House this afternoon on the European Council, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that he had no intention of pre-empting it. That said, as the Prime Minister had underlined on... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

European Commission President

Asked if Downing Street was anticipating a further European Summit to discuss nominations for the job of European Commission President, the PMOS said that we would not rule out the possibility, although it was ultimately up to the Irish Presidency... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Northern Ireland

Asked the point of the Prime Minister's meeting with the Taoiseach on Friday, the PMOS said that the process of driving forward the peace process in Northern Ireland might have slowed but had certainly not come to a full... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)

Pensions

Asked to confirm reports that the Government was proposing to extend the retirement age, the PMOS said that a consultation exercise on pensions was currently taking place. However, we were not in the business of forcing people to work... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Smacking

Asked if the Prime Minister believed that the law on smacking should be changed, the PMOS said the Prime Minister did not think that there should be a law banning parents from smacking their children. Asked if the Prime... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

» Friday, June 18, 2004

Health

Asked for a reaction to today's Times report about the five-year plan for the Department of Health, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) said that the plan would be published next week and she had no intention of pre-empting it.... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Europe

Asked when the Prime Minister would return from the European Council meeting, the PMS said that he would remain there for as long as was necessary. Her colleague was currently in Brussels and was obviously better placed than she... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Mental Capacity Bill

Asked if the Prime Minister would agree with the suggestion that the living wills proposal, as outlined in the Mental Capacity Bill, was a green light for euthanasia, the PMS said that Lord Filkin had been talking about the... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Euro 2004

Asked if the Prime Minister had watched the England v Switzerland match last night, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had been at the European Council meeting in Brussels yesterday. However, he had managed to see parts of... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

» Thursday, June 17, 2004

Fox Hunting

Asked about the comments on fox hunting made by the Leader of the House in the Commons today, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) said that she hadn't seen them. Asked when an announcement would be made, the PMS said... Read more.

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

Iraq/Al Qaida

Asked to which particular organisations she had been referring this morning when she had spoken about groups affiliated to Al Qaida operating in a permissive regime in Saddam's Iraq, the PMS said that she did not have the precise... Read more.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Europe

Asked for a reaction to reports that Chris Patten was being considered as a candidate for the job of European Commission President, the PMS said that as her colleague had been telling journalists all week, these were private discussions... Read more.

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

Sutton Report/Immigration

Asked how the Government would respond to the management failures in the Home Office as identified by the Sutton report today, the PMS said the report showed that there had been significant failings in terms of how the European... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Iraq/Al Qaida

Asked the Prime Minister's view of the relationship between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaida, the PMS said we had always acknowledged that Saddam had created a permissive environment for terrorism and that people affiliated to Al Qaida had operated... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Euro 2004

Asked if the Prime Minister had sent a message to the England team ahead of their match with Switzerland later today, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had sent a message to the team last weekend in which... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

» Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Euro 2004

Asked if there was any concern within Government that England might be thrown out of Euro 2004 because of hooliganism, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that that was a matter for the football authorities. The Prime Minister... Read more.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Europe

Asked to confirm the reportedly on-the-record view of a senior British official in Brussels that the Prime Minister did not support the candidature of Guy Verhofstadt as European Commission President in succession to Romano Prodi, the PMOS said that... Read more.

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

Europe

Asked the Prime Minister's view on the prospect of an agreement on the Constitution at the European Council meeting this week, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said the honest answer was that we simply didn't know whether that... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

PM Press Conference

Asked if the Prime Minister had "lost any threads" today in the light of speculation about his press conference performance yesterday, the PMOS said that as he had told journalists yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister had been giving a... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

» Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Prime Minister's press conference

[This is the transcript of one of the Prime Minister's occasional press conferences; these are the words of the Prime Minister giving a statement and answering the questions of journalists. Unlike the PMOS's briefings, this is a more-or-less verbatim transcript... Read more.

Briefing took place at 18:30 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

PM Press Conference

Asked if the Prime Minister had had cause to see a doctor recently, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said no. If he was being asked about the Guardian correspondent's question to the Prime Minister during the press conference,... Read more.

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

Chancellor

Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to the Chancellor today, sent him a card or present or bought him a drink to congratulate him on taking over from David Lloyd-George as Britain's longest serving Chancellor, the PMOS said... Read more.

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

Five-Year Plans

Asked when the first of the five-year Departmental plans would be published, the PMOS said that as the Prime Minister had mentioned in his press conference this morning, the Department of Health's five-year plan would be published next week.... Read more.

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

» Monday, June 14, 2004

Europe

Asked again if the European election results had changed the Prime Minister's position on any aspects of this week's European Council meeting in Brussels, the PMOS said no. He referred journalists to Paragraph 66 of the IGC White Paper... Read more.

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

Europe

Asked about this week's European Council in Brussels, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that everyone, including our European partners, was aware of what we wanted to achieve. We wanted to see a Constitution which would allow the... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Iraq

Asked if the Prime Minister's apology on Friday had referred to the war on Iraq, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister had not apologised for the war because he believed it had been the right thing to do.... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Euro 2004

Asked the Prime Minister's reaction to last night's England v France Euro 2004 match, the PMOS said that he had forgotten to ask the Prime Minister about the game, primarily because he didn't want to intrude on his private... Read more.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

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June 2004

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