Morning press briefing from 29 June 2010
Briefing by the Prime Minister's Spokesman on: the Russian spy ring, police cuts and miscellaneous items.
Russian spy ring
Asked whether the US authorities had been in touch about any possible implications in regards to the alleged Russian spy ring, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that this was an issue for the American authorities.
Asked whether the US had shared any intelligence on the matter, the PMS said that we wouldn’t comment on any ongoing day-to-day discussions with the US.
Police cuts
On whether people should expect police numbers to fall, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had said the Government wanted to do all it could to keep police officers on the streets. However, as the priority was cutting the Budget deficit and reducing Government spending, the police would have to bear a fair share of the burden.
Asked whether the burden would fall more heavily on Community Support Officers rather than police officers, the PMS replied that people should wait for the Home Secretary’s speech. Discussions would continue with the police leading up to the Spending Review.
Miscellaneous
Put that Ryanair would be diverting some of its flights over the winter to Europe, resulting in UK job losses, the PMS replied that it was a matter for the company.