To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the pre-posting briefing meeting held in the Ministry of Defence in September 2010 for Mr Matthew Gould as HM Ambassador Designate to Israel with his predecessor and Mr Adam Werritty, referred to at paragraph 6, page 2 of the report by the Cabinet Secretary on allegations against right hon. Dr Liam Fox MP was held in a private official room; which departmental officials were present at that meeting; whether official notes of the meeting were taken; and if he will make a statement.

holding answer 12 December 2011

As the Cabinet Secretary’s report states

“I understand that this was a general discussion on international defence and security matters to enable Mr Gould better to understand MOD’s perspective of the security situation in the Middle East.”

The meeting was held in the Defence Secretary’s office. Mr Gould was present as Her Majesty’s Ambassador Designate. It was a general discussion; no officials from the Ministry of Defence were present, therefore no official record or notes were taken.