Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Spokesman on: Anti-Terror Plans, Cabinet Hours and Gerry Adams Meeting.
Anti-Terror Plans
Put to her that the Prime Minister had said earlier that "the new laws would not apply to anything more than a handful of people" and how he was in a position to say that, the PMS said people had to look at the previous legislation which applied to a total of seventeen people. This was a clearly a difficult issue and there would be a lot of discussion about it, not only in Government, but also within the country over the next few weeks. Charles Clarke had pointed out this morning that we had to look at not only the very important issues of civil liberties, but we had to balance that against the need to protect national security.
Asked about the statement yesterday in the Commons that said that if people were under house arrest, it could cause an incendiary situation, the PMS said again that it was a difficult issue, and there had to be a balance struck between civil liberty and the need to protect the country. Charles Clarke had pointed out that there would be further discussions and he would bring measures to the House at a future date.
Asked how long before the measures might be brought in, the PMS said she would not set a timetable.
Cabinet Hours
Asked if there had been a decision to move Cabinet forward in the wake of yesterday’s voting hours change, the PMS said there had been no discussion of that during today’s meeting.
Gerry Adams Meeting
Asked what the Prime Minister would be telling Gerry Adams at their meeting tomorrow, and if he would be reading Mr. Adams the "riot act", the PMS said there was a strong message to deliver, and the Prime Minister wanted to deliver that message in person.
When asked again if the Prime Minister would read Mr Adams the "riot act", the PMS said they were the journalist’s words, not hers.
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