Press briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: DPM, Russia and EU Constitution
DPM
Asked who would be in charge whilst the Prime Minister was abroad later this week, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that the Prime Minister would remain in charge. Asked whose finger would be on the button so to speak, the PMOS replied that it may come as a bit of a surprise to the journalist, but there were very good communications systems these days which meant that the Prime Minister could be just as much in touch in Germany, as he was when he visited other parts of the United Kingdom.
Asked how the Deputy Prime Minister was, the PMOS replied that the DPM’s office were in a better position to brief on the how the Deputy Prime Minister was. Asked who would chair Cabinet on Thursday, the PMOS replied that we would see where we were on Thursday.
Russia
Asked about Putin’s comments that we should have known that Russia’s Constitution barred extradition, and therefore we were being foolish, the PMOS replied that, firstly, murder was anything but foolish and had to be taken very seriously. The evidence that we had put forward and the Russians were fully aware of was very serious, and therefore it should be responded to in a serious way. We await a formal Russian response.
Asked if the Prime Minister would discuss this with President Putin at the G8, the PMOS replied that it was general practice at G8s that the Prime Minister did talk with the Russian President. We assume that will be the case this time, and assume that if there is a discussion, they will cover all aspects of the relationship.
Put that the PMOS had said this morning that the Trident decision was based on an "uncertain world", and asked if Russia was considered under this heading when the White Paper was being put together, the PMOS replied that he was invited along this route the morning, and declined to do so again.
Asked to describe our relations with Russia, the PMOS replied that as he had said this morning, we wanted a constructive and stable relationship. But a constructive relationship meant one in which there was clarity and transparency both in politics and in economics. It was for Russia to choose.
EU Constitution
Asked if there was discussion of the EU Constitution during weekend talks with Chancellor Merkel, the PMOS replied that the main focus was on the G8.
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