Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Middle East, Council Tax, Hutton Inquiry and Euro.
Middle East
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) advised journalists that the Israeli Ambassador, His Excellency Zvi Shtauber, had been called in at midday today see Baroness Symons, who was acting on the Foreign Secretary’s behalf. She had made it clear to the Ambassador that the Government viewed the expulsion of Yasser Arafat to be wrong and would not be in the interests of long term peace. She had also said that comments, such as those made by the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, about assassinating Mr Arafat were unacceptable.
The PMOS said that Baroness Symons had also called in the Iranian Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Morteza Sarmadi, this morning to protest about the further shooting incident yesterday at the British Embassy property in Tehran. She had made it clear to the Ambassador that Iran was failing in its obligations to protect the Embassy and urged the Iranians to conduct an urgent investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
Council Tax
Questioned about the ODPM’s announcement today on council tax, the PMOS said that these were obviously judgements which the Government had had to make, looking very carefully at all the evidence that was available. That was the decision which had been reached by the ODPM.
Hutton Inquiry
Questioned again about the number of Government witnesses who had been recalled to stage two of the Hutton Inquiry, the PMOS said that the Government would continue to co-operate fully with the inquiry, himself included.
Euro
In answer to questions on the Euro, the PMOS essentially repeated what he had said in the morning briefing.
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