Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon For 5 July 2011
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: Phone Hacking and Bombardier.
Phone Hacking
Asked if the PM shared the view of the DPM, Home Secretary and Crime Minister, that a public inquiry should wait, the PMDS (Prime Minister’s Deputy Spokesperson) said the PM had made his views very clear on the issue this morning and referred to his words.
Asked for comment after Crime Minister, Angela Browning, left open the possibility of holding a public inquiry following a police investigation, the PMDS said the DPM had also said in the House this afternoon that the absolute priority was for the police investigation to run its course and the PM shared that view.
Asked what the PM’s views might be should a motion to hold a public inquiry be agreed at tomorrow’s emergency debate, the PMDS said the PM was currently travelling and had not expressed a particular view on this issue.
Asked whether the PM supported holding a public inquiry following the completion of the police investigation, the PMDS said the police investigation had to remain the priority.
Asked whether the Government disagreed with the Speaker’s call to allow a debate, the PMDS said the PM’s position was clear and that the police investigation was ongoing and should run its course.
Asked why it was not possible to hold a public inquiry at the same time as a police investigation, the PMDS said the PM had been clear that the police investigation had to continue. She added, it was important that the police could pursue the evidence wherever that took them.
Asked whether the PM had full confidence in the Metropolitan Police, the PMDS confirmed he did.
Asked whether the PM had any evidence that his phone had been hacked, the PMDS said she did not believe so.
Bombardier
Asked for the Government’s position, the PMDS said that, as the Transport Secretary had set out this morning, the Government would look at whether the UK was making best use of the application of EU procurement rules in the next stage of the Growth Review.
Asked whether this meant we were looking at only future cases and would not be able to make changes to the Thameslink contract, the PMDS said that was correct as Government could not make any changes, largely because of the tender processes set up under the last Government. She added we were legally bound by this contract.