The First Minister's Press Secretary (FMPS) opened the briefing by explaining that Cabinet had met today as the First Minister was travelling to Brussels to attend the launch of Scotland Week.
Cabinet had discussed the military action taken by the UK government - although defence is a reserved issue - as Scotland could be affected by the action. FM said he fully supported the Prime Minister and the coalition. There were certain responsibilities that lie with the Executive such as Police, emergency services and emergency planning. The Deputy First Minister said that these services were in a good state of preparedness if there were to be an emergency.
FMPS said that the DFM was representing the Executive on the Civil Contingencies Committee (although the FM or any other Minister could attend) that had met last week. The Executive thought the public should be reassured that security measures and contingency plans are high priority and that these are constantly reviewed. The FM also reinforced the Foreign Secretary's message that people should be vigilant but calm. He also reiterated that this was not a war against Islam but a war against terrorism. FMPS said that Executive officials were in constant contact with Westminster colleagues.
Asked if the Executive thought that Scotland was a target. The FMPS said that there was no evidence of a specific threat to the UK as a whole but that contingency plans were always required for emergency situations. Asked if the CCC liaised with the War Cabinet, the FMPS said that both were part of the same structure.
Asked if this week's events in Brussels were aimed at raising Scotland's profile in Europe and if so were we concerned that this week's military events could over-shadow Scotland Week. The FMPS said that given world events no-one would expect Scotland Week to have as high a profile as it might have had. He went on to say that the Executive and the FM believed that Scotland has a vital role to play in Europe. He thought that Scotland should be at the heart of Europe with the strength of the UK through its representation and in terms of our own representation as one of the powerful devolved nations in Europe. The FM believed the focus on trade, technology, education and the environment that would be discussed both formally and informally over the next week and that it would be a long term process to strengthen Scotland's voice in Europe. Asked how long the FM would be in Brussels and FMPS said he was there until Wednesday.
Asked if any more light could be shed on the Executive's tribute to the late Donald Dewar, the FMPS said that he couldn't, but he assured them that considerable thought had gone in to a fitting tribute to mark the anniversary of Donald Dewar's death, and also to commemorate his life.