Remarks leaving Downing Street for Fleet Command at Northwood (1515Z)
| Document type: | Speeches, interviews, etc. |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Outside No.10 Downing Street |
| Source: | BBC Radio News Report 1800 22 May 1982 |
| Journalist: | Noel Lewis, BBC |
| Editorial comments: | MT spoke briefly to a crowd outside No.10 as she left for Northwood with Sir Michael Havers at 1615. |
| Importance ranking: | Major |
| Word count: | 229 |
| Themes: | Defence (Falklands) |
Lewis
At Northwood the Prime Minister attended a staff briefing with the Commander in Chief of the fleet, Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse. This gave Mrs Thatcher the opportunity to hear the latest reports from the task force, and to review with the commanders the prospects for the next stage of the conflict. As she left Downing Street, the Prime Minister was greeted by a cheering crowd.
Thatcher
Our forces have been absolutely magnificent, as you'd expect. I'm now just going up to Northwood, then we'll be in a much better position to know what the latest news is. Up to now our forces have been magnificent.
Lewis
Earlier in the day, ministers in the Cabinet went to Downing Street for an hour-long review of the situation, including first reports of international reaction and forecasts of the meeting of the United Nations Security Council. With the decision to attack being put into operation, the Prime Minister decided to spend this evening and tomorrow at Chequers. She'll be returning to Downing Street tomorrow evening and no further meetings of ministers are planned until Monday morning. There's been no pressure for a recall of parliament over the weekend but MP's will be hearing a full report on Monday afternoon, probably from the Prime Minister.