Number 10 Press Briefing - Morning From 10 September 2010
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: Jonathan Djanogly, Fixed Term Parliament Bill and Royal Mail.
Jonathan Djanogly
Asked if the PM had full confidence in Jonathan Djanogly, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said yes.
Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken with Jonathan Djanogly, the PMS said he did not believe he had.
Asked if the Prime Minister thought it was the right thing to do to hire a private detective, the PMS said Mr Djanogly had issued a statement explaining the circumstances, and that he had said with hindsight that he may have overreacted.
Asked if the Prime Minister thought that Jonathan Djanogly overreacted, the PMS said that the Prime Minister did not disagree with that statement.
On various questions about the Prime Minister’s thoughts on Jonathan Djanogly, the PMS said that the Prime Minister would judge him on his performance as a Minister.
Asked whether the Prime Minister was aware of what Jonathan Djanogly had done before the Telegraph’s report, the PMS said that he was not.
Fixed Term Parliament Bill
Put that the fixed term Parliament Bill was rushed, complex and that there had not been enough time for scrutiny, the PMS said that political reform and fixed term parliaments were a central part of the Coalition programme.
Royal Mail
Asked whether the Prime Minister wanted to privatise Royal Mail, the PMS stated that the position on Royal Mail was set out in the Coalition document and private capital would be brought in.
Asked whether taypayers would be able to buy shares in Royal Mail, the PMS said that there would be a Bill introduced during this Session, which would set out details of our plans. People should wait for that.
Asked whether a foreign company would be able to buy Royal Mail, the PMS said that people should wait for the proposals.