Press briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: EU Treaty, Police Inquiry, Home Office, Prime Minister’s Visit to Germany this week, Northern Ireland and Troops
EU Treaty
Asked if the Prime Minister’s visit to Poland at the end of the week was primarily about the EU Treaty, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that a lot of forthcoming European visits would undoubtedly cover the issue and the Prime Minister had set out his view of the way forward last week with the Dutch Prime Minister.
Police Inquiry
Asked if the Prime Minister had been informed as to what the next steps were for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the PMOS said that it was a matter for the CPS and the CPS alone. The PMOS added that the CPS had said, “Following media reports we wish to make it plain, once again, that it is not the role of any agency to ‘recommend’ charges to the CPS. Any decision on charges in the Cash for Honours case will be taken by the CPS alone after full and careful consideration of the police file of evidence and applying the Code for Crown prosecutors.”
Asked if ‘any agency’ was directed to Lord Goldsmith, the PMOS said that it was up to the CPS to interpret their own words. Asked if the Prime Minister still had confidence in Lord Goldsmith as Attorney General, the PMOS said yes and that Lord Goldsmith had explained the constitutional reasons why he still retained the role.
Home Office
Asked what the Security and Terrorism Committee would involve, the PMOS said it would bring together for the first time the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, other agencies and the Prime Minister for the first time. Asked if the Chancellor would be present, the PMOS said no. Asked if there would be any briefing, the PMOS said that as it was the first meeting there would be a pooled brief but it would not be a regular occurrence.
Asked if there were any specific topics for discussion, the PMOS said that as the reporter would imagine he could not go into details of the agenda.
Prime Minister’s Visit to Germany this week
Asked why the Prime Minister was going to Germany this week, the PMOS said that Germany currently held the Presidency and the meeting was important because of the EU Treaty, climate change, energy discussions and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The PMOS added that the Prime Minister and Chancellor Merkel had regular meetings but in the run up to the EU Council and G8 in June there was a greater need to keep in touch. Asked if it was the Prime Minister’s intention to have an agreed position, the PMOS had said he believed an amending Treaty would be in the interests of both the EU and this country.
Northern Ireland
Asked if the Prime Minister would be travelling to Northern Ireland in two weeks, the PMOS said that there had been an invitation at PMQs. We were polite people and the 8th May was an important date in Northern Ireland.
Troops
Asked if there was any news on Operation Sinbad the PMOS said there was nothing new to add.
Â
delicious
digg
facebook
