Williamson bags a freebie

Date: 28/11/1996

Commission Secretary-General David Williamson has given the ultimate endorsement to the smart blue document case handed out to all those attending the Florence summit earlier this year.

We are now well into the Irish presidency, but Williamson is still using his Florence bag to carry round the Commission's secret plans. It was after all, by common accord, the most practical and enduring free summit gift in living memory.

But can the Irish persuade Williamson and other movers and shakers to chuck away their Italian freebie after the Dublin summit next month? One source close to events was frank and open about the chances: “I doubt it: we are offering a beach bag.”