Press briefing: afternoon 24 June 2014
The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on Andy Coulson and the EU.
Andy Coulson
Asked about the Prime Minister’s (PM) reaction to the court’s decision on Andy Coulson today the PMS said he had nothing further to add to the statement the PM made earlier today.
Asked about Mr Coulson’s level of vetting, the PMS pointed to the Leveson Inquiry report and the then Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 22 July 2011, which clearly explained it was a matter for the civil service.
EU
Asked how the PM felt about Albania gaining candidate status the PMS said the PM believes the process of accession is a long one and that he would block accession from any country until new controls and transitional rules are put in place.
Asked if the PM would be encouraging other members of the EU to put their name forward for the European Commission presidency the PMS said this was not an approach the PM was pursing and his concern on this issue was one of principles and priorities.
Asked what the PM’s thoughts were on comments by Laszlo Andor that benefit tourism was a ‘fiction’ the PMS said the PM believed there were various pressures migration had on the benefit system and this concerned him – a sentiment widely shared by European counterparts.