National Security Council convened
The National Security Council has convened for the first time in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street.
The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by permanent members including Sir Peter Ricketts, the new National Security Adviser, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox.
Speaking after the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said:
The Prime Minister this evening chaired the first meeting of the newly-established National Security Council. The Prime Minister began the meeting by paying a full tribute to the UK’s armed forces and expressed his personal admiration and gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice.
He then received briefings on the political and military situation in Afghanistan, including from his new National Security Adviser, Sir Peter Ricketts and from the Chief of the Defence Staff. The Prime Minister was then updated on the wider UK security situation.”
Attendees: Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary of State for International Development, Minister for Security, Minister for the Cabinet Office, Cabinet Secretary, Chief of the Defence Staff, National Security Advisor, Chair of the Joint Intelligence committee, the Director General of the Security Service, C and Director of GCHQ.
Read more: Establishment of a National Security Council