Briefing by the Prime Minister s spokesman on: Reshuffle

Asked whether the Prime Minister had asked John Reid to be Home Secretary, and whether John Reid had declined and told the Prime Minister that he should resign, the Prime Minister s Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that all three questions were reshuffle questions which he would not be getting into.

Asked whether the Prime Minister had had discussions with John Reid in the past couple of days, the PMS pointed out that the Prime Minister regularly held discussions with a wide range of Members of Parliament, including Labour MPs.

Asked when was the last time the Prime Minister spoke to the Chancellor, the PMS said that the Prime Minster spoke to the Chancellor on a daily basis.

Asked whether it was wise for the Chief Whip last night to name people he claimed to be plotters, the PMS said those questions were best referred to his political colleagues.

Asked what the Prime Minister was working on today, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was focused on taking the kind of the action that was needed both to ensure that trust was rebuilt in the political system, and in taking the kind of action that would help people get through difficult economic times.

Asked whether the Prime Minister would be undertaking any formal engagements today, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was working from Downing Street.

Asked whether there were any meetings taking place today relating to the reshuffle, including with Ministers, the PMS said that that was a reshuffle question. Asked whether the Prime Minister had voted, PMS said that the Prime Minister had voted by post.

Asked repeatedly to characterise the Prime Minister s mood, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was determined and focused on getting the job done of renewing the trust in the political system and in democratic processes, as well as in taking the kind of decisions that would help the British people through difficult economic circumstances.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19505