Number 10 Press Briefing - Morning 7 November 2012
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on the EU Budget, President Obama, The Archbishop of Canterbury, child abuse and Chancellor Merkel's visit.
EU budget
Answering questions on the PM’s hopes for the November EU summit the PMS said that we have always been clear that this was going to be difficult, with 27 people round the table representing 27 different countries with 27 different opinions. But the PM is very clear, he will be arguing for a tough outcome, but that he would not be going to agree to a future financial framework that isn’t in Britain’s interest. Asked whether the PM would tell Chancellor Merkel that he thought the Commission proposal was ‘ludicrous’ the PMS said that he was looking forward to his meeting with Chancellor Merkel this evening and he would be setting out the Government’s position and that he would be making a very strong argument to the Commission that they cannot argue that countries should be cutting spending and taking tough decisions if they are not prepared to take tough decisions themselves.
President Obama
Asked whether the PM had called President Obama the PMS said that he had made a public statement congratulating him and would speak to the President soon but at the moment he is on a trip to the Middle East.
Child abuse
Answering questions on whether the Prime Minister would welcome an overarching inquiry the PMS said it was important these issues were addressed swiftly. A number of different organisations have put in place inquiries to address specific issues. As the PM said: “Let’s first of all make sure that each of the institutions is getting to the bottom of what happened and then we can take a decision as to whether there is more that needs to be done.”
Archbishop of Canterbury
Asked when an announcement would be made on the next Archbishop of Canterbury the PMS confirmed that an announcement would be made shortly.