Press briefing - morning 15 March 2013
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on Eric Joyce, the Leveson Inquiry and Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.
Eric Joyce
Asked for the PM’s view on whether Eric Joyce should remain an MP, the PMS said that it was a matter for Eric Joyce.
Leveson
Asked for the latest position on the PM’s response to Leveson, the PMS said that the PM would publish his proposals for a royal charter later that day. The PM would continue to support and make the case for a royal charter, and was putting his solution to the House to vote on his proposals. As the PM had previously said, Parliament was sovereign and it would be for others to explain if they did not believe the royal charter should go ahead. If parliament supported the PM’s approach, the royal charter would then need Privy Council agreement.
Mid Staffs
Asked whether the PM agreed with the Health Secretary that Sir David Nicholson was partly responsible for the conditions at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, the PMS said that the PM agreed with the Health Secretary but the key point was that Sir David had done the right thing by apologising.