‘Prescott was not sidelined’
Home Secretary John Reid, who led the government’s response to the foiled terror attacks, insisted that “conventional arrangements” had been followed.
He said that as home secretary, he was responsible for security, answerable to Tony Blair, who is currently holidaying in the Caribbean, and to Mr Prescott.
There was widespread criticism of Mr Prescott – who is standing in for Mr Blair – after it was disclosed that he did not attend the first two meetings of the Cobra emergency response committee.
He did attend a third meeting later in the day, that – like the earlier two – was chaired by Mr Reid.
At a home office news conference, Mr Reid insisted that it was normal for the home secretary to chair Cobra meetings, even if the prime minister was present.
Mr Reid also said that when Mr Blair left for his holiday on Tuesday, ministers had not expected the police to move against the alleged plotters so quickly.
“When the prime minister left, we had no idea that we would take action imminently,” he said.
He rejected suggestions that he remained in the country in Mr Blair’s absence so that Mr Prescott would not be in charge in an emergency.
Mr Prescott has made no public statements, they have all been handled by Mr Reid and Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander.
