Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon 18 December 2012
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on Andrew Mitchell, UK Bill of Rights, the economy and strikes.
Andrew Mitchell
Responding to questions on the arrest of a police officer around the incident relating to Andrew Mitchell, the PMS said that there had been a number of allegations reported, and that there was a police investigation underway. It was important to get to the bottom of this but there would be no further comment while investigations were ongoing.
UK Bill of Rights
Asked for a Government response to the Commission report on a UK Bill of Rights, the PMS said that the Government welcomed the work of the commission. It was clear there were a range of views on the issue and the Government would consider the content of the report and respond in due course.
Economy
Questioned on the state of the economy going into the New Year, the PMS said that it was the OBR’s job to forecast the economy. The Government believed the economy was healing, that we had recent good news on employment, but clearly it was still a difficult time.
Strikes
Asked to comment on the proposed Boxing Day strikes by rail workers, the PMS said that people would see it for what it was. Taking industrial action at a very busy time for families and shoppers was the wrong thing to do and that both sides needed to get back together to resolve the situation, so that families and shoppers were not inconvenienced.