Hacking inquiry – Hacked off

The “carelessness” between the press and politicians became “excessive”, the Sky News political editor has said today. Giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, Adam Boulton said journalists should avoid becoming too friendly with politicians if they interview them on a regular basis. He later added: “I think one of the things about the media is [...]

David Cameron was “too close” to senior media figures, a former cabinet secretary has told the Leveson Inquiry. Lord O’Donnell said he agreed with comments made by David Cameron on his relationships with editors and proprietors. In a BBC interview earlier this year, the prime minister admitted he had become too close to newspaper proprietors and executives, [...]

The Leveson Inquiry resumed this week; with widely publicised evidence from former News of the World and Number 10 spin doctor Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks.  There were also a number of other important developments with the Metropolitan Police reporting their investigation into whether Milly Dowler’s voicemails were deleted.  Robert Jay QC officially began module three [...]

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt may have sought guidance from News Corporation over phone hacking, the Leveson Inquiry has heard. Rebekah Brooks, former CEO of News International, provided the inquiry with an email sent to her by News Corp’s head of communications, Frederic Michel. The message claimed Hunt wanted advice on his position on the hacking [...]

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks discussed phone hacking allegations with David Cameron, the Leveson Inquiry has heard. The former News International chief executive said she had spoken about the scandal with the Prime Minister on a few occasions between 2009 and 2011 in general terms, and after the Guardian reported missing teenager Milly [...]

Rupert Murdoch has denied Jeremy Hunt was “on the side” of News Corp over the company’s failed BSkyB takeover bid. He told the Leveson Inquiry he did not believe he had met the Culture Secretary and had never discussed the bid with him. It was revealed at the inquiry on Tuesday James Murdoch had spoken briefly [...]