Leaders to focus on economy in first Downing St summit

ECONOMIC issues were set to dominate the first Downing Street summit between Taoiseach Brian Cowen and new British Premier David Cameron.

Brian Cowen is travelling to London today for their first top-level meeting outside of an EU gathering.

The move comes after Conservative David Cameron surprised many with his unambiguous acceptance of the Bloody Sunday probe which found that the shooting dead of 14 Derry civilians in 1972 was both unjustified and unjustifiable.

However, the North was not expected to be the key issue under discussion, according to the Taoiseach’s spokesperson, who said that economic matters, especially the emerging all-island economy, was likely to be the focus of the 45-minute talks.

The meeting was first proposed when the two leaders spoke on the telephone shortly after Mr Cameron’s appointment at the head of the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition in London.

The two had already got together for brief talks on the margins of the European Council in Brussels last week.

The move towards devolution and continued efforts to keep dissident republicans in check were likely to feature in the talks, but the economy remained the main subject for both leaders.

The talks come just a day after Mr Cameron’s coalition imposed huge cuts in spending and froze public sector pay, as well as welfare benefits, such as child allowance.

International matters, including the upcoming G20 summit and issues facing the EU, were also expected to come up.

However, the summit will see Mr Cameron miss most of England’s World Cup game, scheduled for the same time.

Mr Cameron delighted England fans – and prompted anger among Scots – by promising to fly the flag of St George over Downing Street for the duration of the tournament.