He added that the mayor of London and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper also received those briefings, having been asked if there was any "political pressure" on police to stop protests. Mr Philp reiterated the prime minister's statement that the police are "operationally independent and make these decisions independently of government."īut he added: "Government ministers did receive a briefing, particularly as the intelligence picture escalated in the 24 hours prior to the event."
"The way he gets to different events will vary as there's lots of pressure on his time," the spokesperson said.ĭefending the cost of the helicopter, the spokesperson said there is always a "balance between the interests of the taxpayer and the best use of his time."Īsked by the SNP's Joanna Cherry why people who had spoken to police in advance about their protest and had been cleared ended up being arrested, policing minister Chris Philp insisted that "hundreds" were still able to protest. This afternoon, his official spokesperson defended the use of the helicopter, saying that the mode of transportation used by the prime minister is to "make the best use of his time".
Mr Sunak used the taxpayer-funded helicopter for a visit to a GP surgery and a pharmacy to promote his newly-announced plans to ease the burden on general practice. Had the prime minister caught the 8.35am train, he would have arrived in Southampton at 9.50am. Rishi Sunak flew by helicopter from London to Southampton this morning - a journey that would have taken just over an hour by train.Īccording to rail schedules, the journey from London Waterloo station (around 5 minutes drive from Downing Street) to Southampton Central station takes one hour and 14 minutes.
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