Press briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Benefits, Angela Merkel, Mr. Sarkozy Meeting, Terror Organisations and Baroness Thatcher’s Birthday celebrations.
Benefits
Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with David Blunkett’s assessment that the benefit system was "crackers", the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that what the Prime Minister believed was that we should reform measures such as the incapacity benefit to help more people back to work as they wished. Therefore, that was why we were having a fundamental think about the way in which incapacity benefit in particular worked within the welfare system.
Angela Merkel
Asked whether the Prime Minister was looking forward to working closely with Germany’s first female Chancellor, the PMOS said the Prime Minister congratulated Angela Merkel on her elevation and he hoped to talk to her later this afternoon.
Mr. Sarkozy Meeting
Asked if the Prime Minister was having dinner with Nicolas Sarkozy tonight, the PMOS said we did not always brief on the Prime Minister’s private meetings.
Put to the PMOS that there was some confusion as to whether the Prime Minister was meeting Mr. Sarkozy, the PMOS said we did not brief on every meeting the Prime Minister did or did not hold. Some conversations the Prime Minister had were private conversations.
Asked to confirm whether or not the information received earlier had been correct regarding the Prime Minister’s meeting with Mr. Sarkozy, the PMOS said he was not able to confirm it.
Put to the PMOS that the French Embassy had been briefing "all day" on the meeting, and had given the time and location of the meeting, were there wires crossed between Downing Street and the French Embassy, the PMOS said it was a matter for the French Embassy.
Asked would it not be reasonable to expect to be told that there was a meeting, as they were two public figures, the PMOS said again that he was not going to get into any details, but the Prime Minister was entitled to private conversations with people. The PMOS pointed out the Prime Minister was not meeting his opposite number.
Put to the PMOS that he was meeting Mr. Sarkozy who would soon be President in France on the day that Angela Merkel was named Chancellor, and therefore there was "quite clearly an agenda", the PMOS said he was not aware that there had been an election in France.
Put to the PMOS that the French Interior Minister was not a private individual, and that a meeting with him in a time of terrorism was a big story, the PMOS repeated that whilst others might not, he would still stick to the terms in which meetings were set up, and he could not comment any further.
Terror Organisations
Asked if proscribed organisations were something the Prime Minister was concerned about having a detrimental effect on community relations, the PMOS said what the Prime Minister was concerned about was that if terrorist organisations were carrying out activities, then they should be prescribed, as they were terrorist organisations. He would start from that end of the telescope.
Baroness Thatcher’s Birthday celebrations
Asked what the Prime Minister was going to do at the party, and was Mrs. Blair accompanying him, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister was going but he had no further details at that time.
Asked if the Prime Minister would be bringing a present with him, the PMOS asked if the spirit of The Guardian’s Michael White had taken over!
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