Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: Tsunami, G8 Sherpa announcement, Abuse Allegations and Court Martial.
Tsunami
The Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) briefed journalist on the latest tsunami victim numbers. The Category 1 figure was 299, which included 53 confirmed dead (down from 349 yesterday). The Category 2, possibly involved figure was 413 (down from 464 yesterday). The PMS reminded people that the FCO were updating their website everyday at 11am with the latest figures from the tsunami disaster last month.
G8 Sherpa announcement
The PMS said that Sir Michael Jay, Permanent Undersecretary at the FCO had been appointed by the Prime Minister as the Sherpa for the Presidency of the G8 Summit later in the year, and took on the role with immediate effect.
Asked what the role of the Sherpa at the G8 was, the PMS explained that each G8 country appointed a Sherpa, and they were involved in all the preparatory work in advance of ministerial meetings, that culminated in the G8 Summit in the summer. They were involved in discussing arrangements, policies, statements, and other work that needed to be done in advance of a big conference like the G8.
Asked why the job title Sherpa was given, The Daily Telegraph said that "the Sherpa led you to the Summit"!
Asked what the dates were for the G8, the PMS said from 6-7th July.
Abuse Allegations
Asked when the Government first learnt about new abuse allegations, the PMS referred the journalist to the MOD.
Court Martial
Asked for any information on what General Sir Mike Jackson might say in advance about the court martial in Osnabruk, the PMS said she believed that he would be making a statement, but it was better for people to wait for them at the statement. We did not normally make comments in the middle of a judicial process.
Asked if ministers would be making any statements today, the PMS said that they would not do so.
delicious
digg
facebook
