Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon From 10 May 2011
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: super-injuctions, World Cup bid, David Laws, universities and Scotland.
Super-Injunctions
Put that Jeremy Hunt had said that he was going to sit down with Ken Clarke to see what could be done about super-injunctions, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said that this was about finding the right balance between individual’s rights of privacy and the right to freedom of expression and transparency. The Prime Minister had said that there was a question about the way the system worked and about judges using the European Court of Human Rights to deliver privacy laws without Parliament’s say so. The Prime Minister was uneasy about what was happening and it was something we were thinking about.
Asked if the Prime Minister was sympathetic to Zac Goldsmith’s comments regarding the need for legislation, the PMS repeated the Prime Minister’s view.
Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with Jeremy Hunt that Twitter was making a mockery of privacy laws, the PMS reiterated that the Prime Minister had set out his view, which was consistent with what Jeremy Hunt had said.
Asked if there would be a review into regulation of the internet, the PMS advised that he was not aware of such a review. The PMS went on to advise that a commission had been set up to look at the issue of a UK Bill of Rights that would look at some of these issues.
Asked if the Prime Minister would wait until the Master of the Rolls concluded the review before taking action, the PMSsaid the report would be considered when it was published later this month.
Asked if the Prime Minister thought of these judgments as interference from the European Union, the PMS clarified that the issue was about the relationship between courts and the judiciary on one hand, and Parliament on the other.
World Cup Bid
Asked for the Prime Minister’s view on allegations made by Lord Triesman that FIFA executives had acted improperly, the PMS said that the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, had said that the claims were being investigated and action would be taken if there was evidence of wrongdoing, which was something we welcomed. The PMS went on to say that the important thing was that the public had confidence in FIFA and its systems.
Asked if the FiFA review would be independent, the PMS advised that it was for the world governing body of football to take action on this matter and reassure fans on allegations of corruption.
David Laws
Asked if the Prime Minister wanted David Laws to return to Government, the PMS confirmed that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had both said in the past that they hoped one day that David Laws would return to Government. The Deputy Prime Minister had also said that we would await the report from the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner which was yet to be published.
Universities
Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to David Willets, the PMS said he had not.
Asked if the Prime Minister regretted the confusion over the idea of allowing students to buy university places, the PMS said that there was no confusion. The PMS went on to advise that there would be a White Paper soon that will set out the policy.
Scotland
Asked if a UK wide referendum was needed, the PMS said there was nothing to add to what had already been said and that this was a matter for the Scottish Parliament and we wouldn’t stand in the way of a referendum.