Press briefing: afternoon 19 March 2013
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson answered questions on Cyprus, Syria, the Budget, Falklands, David Nicholson, nuclear power and Leveson.
Cyprus
Asked about the financial situation in Cyprus the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said that as the Chancellor made clear at Cabinet no serving UK military personnel will lose out.
Syria
Asked what the PM’s view was regarding reports that chemical weapons have been used in Aleppo, Syria the PMS said we are aware of the reports and it is being looked into.
Budget
Asked about today’s written ministerial statement on pension reform the PMS said the policy remains the same as when the Treasury set it out and the only change is that it has been bought forward by a year.
Falkland Islands
Asked if the PM thought that it was appropriate for the President of Argentina to lobby the Pope over the Falkland Islands the PMS said how the Argentine government chooses to express itself is a matter for them and that in the recent Falkland Islands referendum the people expressed their views very clearly.
David Nicholson
Asked if the PM still has full confidence in David Nicholson the PMS replied yes and he added in relation to Mr Nicholson’s apology over whistleblowers at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday the PM thinks that the position the Health Secretary set out recently is absolutely the right approach.
Nuclear power station
Asked if the PM welcomes the building of a new nuclear power station the PMS said that today’s announcement is a good news story for the British economy.
Leveson
Asked what conservations the PM has had with newspapers before yesterday’s Leveson debate the PMS said that the PM, Oliver Letwin, Maria Miller and officials had a whole series of conversations over the last few weeks with people on all sides of the debate and this was the right approach to find a workable solution.