Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Christmas Card, Northern Ireland, David Blunkett, Middle East, President Musharraf, Jeddah Reports, Drugs/Vice, Home Intruders/Self Defence, Civil Service Pensions, Jack Straw and the Army.
Christmas Card
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) told journalists that PA has been given a copy of the Prime Minister’s Christmas card that would be sent out this year.
Northern Ireland
Asked what the latest news about the Belfast talks was, the PMOS said we were still aiming for the middle of this week. The parties were reflecting on their positions, and would come back with their responses when they were ready.
Asked if the Prime Minister would go only if there was a deal, the PMOS said they would let the people of Northern Ireland judge for themselves, no matter what the outcome. We obviously still hoped and believed a deal was possible, but people would have to wait and see.
Asked what the advice to the Prime Minister would be regarding the issue of photographing the decommissioning, the PMOS replied that until this point, he had not gone into detail regarding the negotiations, and he was not about to start. What he did say, however, was that any deal must reflect the criteria which were laid down by the Prime Minister in his Belfast Harbour Commission speech 2 years ago. The criteria were not only did there have to be complete and unequivocal commitment to power sharing, but also complete and unequivocal commitment, and actual end to all paramilitary activity and a complete verifiable process of decommissioning. Those were the criteria which both the parties and the public would have to judge any deal by. The PMOS said it would be better for people to wait for the details until the proposals are published, but it was important for the parties to take the time to reflect properly on what has been considerable progress over the past year.
Asked to clarify if the photographing of the decommissioning was a government proposal, as was suggested by Dr. Paisley, the PMOS said that we had not revealed what our proposals were, and it would therefore be premature to do so at this stage, but any decommissioning had to be verifiable.
Asked if the Prime Minister had any other Northern Ireland meetings scheduled, the PMOS replied there were none today, but we were in very close contact with all the parties at this stage.
Asked if there was going to be a referendum in Northern Ireland, the PMOS said that was not part of the discussion.
David Blunkett
Asked if the latest series of allegations towards David Blunkett were not going to provide a distraction in his job, the PMOS said the position had not changed one iota since he spoke to journalists last week.
Asked if Sir Alan Budd was likely to report this week, the PMOS said it was a matter for Sir Alan Budd.
Asked about a previous relationship David Blunkett was alleged to have had with someone in the DFES, and what the guidelines were for Ministers, the PMOS replied that private matters remained private.
When asked again that it was not a private matter, but a hierarchical matter between a minister and his junior staff, the PMOS said again it was a private matter and he would not comment on it; departments enforced department guidelines, and it was private unless proved otherwise.
Asked what the guidelines were for Ministers having affairs with junior staff members, the PMOS said the journalist should contact the Cabinet Office.
Middle East
Asked if the Prime Minister would be visiting the Middle East in January, and whether there was any further development on a Middle East conference, the PMOS replied all such talk was premature. The next step was the process of the Palestinian elections, and helping those proceed.
When asked again about the Prime Minister visiting the Middle East, the PMOS said, as people knew, we did not comment on the Prime Minister’s travel plans.
Asked if the Prime Minister still saw any use in having a London Conference as early as possible after the Palestinian Elections in January, and had he now overcome President Bush’s objections to the conference, the PMOS replied that it was important to recognise the practical steps. These were, as was outlined in Washington, was to hold the Palestinian Elections, and to ensure they happened. The EU was contributing towards the cost in order to help that process occur. The next step was to help the Palestinian Authority to develop their security, economic and administrative infrastructure which would allow it to fill the vacuum once Israel leaves. It was best, that people did not jump to the end at this stage.
President Musharraf
Asked what was on the agenda for the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Musharraf later today, the PMOS said that counter-terrorism, Iraq, and Afghanistan were all issues that would be brought up. In terms of an overall issue, the government was immensely grateful for the position he had taken against terrorism in Afghanistan, and towards democracy in Iraq. In terms of the situation in Pakistan, the important question was, was Pakistan still moving in the right direction, and our answer was yes, it was. President Musharraf was aware of our position on moving towards full democracy, so it would not come as a surprise to him.
Jeddah Reports
Asked if there was any news on Jeddah, the PMOS said we were getting the same reports as everyone else, and were waiting to see what the situation was before commenting.
Drugs/Vice
Asked why the situation regarding organised crime had taken "so long", the PMOS replied that he thought the question was an unfair analysis. Tomorrow, there was a second reading of the SOCA Bill, and from all these things, people learnt from experience. It did take a process of evaluation, and looking at what worked and what did not. For example, the United States used the process of constant adaptation, and looking at where they went next.
Asked about the spread of various organised crime gangs related to migration, the PMOS replied it was a mistake to point to one issue at the heart of the organised crime problem; it was multi-faceted. The important question was how the problems were addressed, which was what we were doing.
Home Intruders/Self Defence
Asked about Sir John Steven’s recent comments about homeowners confronting intruders, the PMOS said the important thing was that people recognised the law allowed reasonable force to be used. What it did not allow was active retaliation, which seemed to be a point that people missed. The PMOS added that there was a murder review going on in the Home Office at the moment, which would be part of the issues discussed. The PMOS said it was important people knew what the distinctions were, as there was some confusion around.
Civil Service Pensions
Asked if the Prime Minister though it was right for the Government to cut civil servants’ pensions, the PMOS joked the question was directed at the wrong person! He said that there was a process going on, and that consultation process should be allowed to be completed.
Jack Straw
Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with the recent book allegations that Jack Straw left the Home Office "in a mess", the PMOS said he thought he was being goaded into getting into a book review, which he was not going to do.
Army
Asked for any further information on the possible amalgamation of several regiments, the PMOS said the Army Board would consider these matters. The broad principles would be set out, which were getting the balance for the need of the modern Army to have flexibility, whilst respecting tradition. How the Army Board decided was a matter for them, and then it would make recommendations.
Asked if the Prime Minister raised the future of the Green Howards with the Army, the PMOS said he was not aware he had done so, but it was a matter for the Army.
Asked if there was a date for the Army Review Board, the PMOS said he did not think it would be this week.
Asked if the decision would be taken by the Prime Minister, and not Geoff Hoon, the PMOS said they were matters that would end up on the Prime Minister’s desk.
Asked to clarify that this would be a political decision, the PMOS replied that we had never denied that this would be a matter for ministers.
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