Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: Pensions, Iraq and the Prime Minister.
Pensions
Asked if an announcement on pensions was expected today, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said no. As her colleague had told journalists at this morning’s briefing, discussions were continuing and an announcement would be made within the next few days. In answer to further questions, the PMS said that Andrew Smith was addressing the National Association of Pension Funds conference in Glasgow this afternoon, but would not be making any announcements at that event.
Iraq
Asked if she thought that the running commentary by Ministers on the investigation into the Mirror pictures was right in the light of the fact that the PMOS usually declined to give a running commentary on ongoing investigations, the PMS said that Geoff Hoon had made a Statement to the Commons last week about the photos. Now that the Government was in a better position to inform MPs of progress that had been made in the investigation, it was entirely appropriate for Adam Ingram to make a further Statement to the House today and set out the Government’s view of the photos in terms of their validity - or otherwise. Pressed as to whether the Government believed that the photos were fake, the PMS said it had been alleged that the photos had been taken in Iraq and showed the mistreatment of an Iraqi detainee. That was not the case. Asked why Mr Ingram had declined to use the work ‘fake’, the PMS cautioned journalists against getting hung up on semantics. Mr Ingram had said specifically "these pictures were categorically not taken in Iraq". His words were on the record for all to see. Asked if the evidence to back up the claim that the photos were not genuine would be produced, the PMS said that that the investigation was still ongoing. Mr Ingram had set out the reasons why he was unable to go into more detail because of the possibility of legal proceedings against those who might have been involved. Asked again why any statement had been made on the issue when the investigation was still ongoing, the PMS said that MPs would expect Ministers to give them information as and when they received it. This issue related to a serious allegation and Mr Ingram had set out the facts of the matter and the progress that had been made in the investigation so far. Asked what else the investigating authorities had left to do if they had concluded that the photos were not genuine, the PMS said that they needed to find those responsible. Put to her that the Daily Mirror should know, the PMS said that one of those people who had spoken to the Mirror - ‘Soldier C’ - had presented himself to the MoD. However, she was not aware if any of the others had. Asked if there was a timescale for the investigation to conclude, the PMS said that it would take as long as it takes.
Asked what sort of co-operation the Government was looking for from the Daily Mirror and what measures might be taken against the paper if it did not provide the relevant information, the PMS said that as General Sir Mike Jackson had underlined when the pictures had first been published, if people had any evidence of mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, we hoped that they would come forward and pass it on to the authorities. Put to her that Mr Ingram had been referring specifically to the Mirror when he had called for "honesty, openness and professionalism", the PMS agreed and said that we would hope they would assist us in our investigations. Asked if that meant that they hadn’t helped us so far, the PMS said not as far as she was aware.
Asked how damaging the Government believed these pictures were to British troops in Iraq and what their impact had been, the PMS said that although it was not possible to measure the impact at this stage, Minister had all along acknowledged that the photos and allegations had not helped British troops in Iraq. We were obviously very unhappy about the publication of the photos which we believed had undermined the reputation of our forces and could have potential repercussions on the ground.
Asked if the Government believed that the insurgents in Iraq drew a distinction between British mistreatment and US mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, the PMS said that that was a theory which would be very difficult to measure.
Prime Minister
Asked if the Prime Minister believed that allies of the Chancellor were going around saying that he should stand down, the PMS said that as a Civil Servant, she was unable to comment on party political matters.
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