An embarrassing text message from Rebekah Brooks, explanations about the handling of the BSkyB bid, the hiring of Andy Coulson, and thoughts on a new system of press regulation marked the Prime Minister’s appearance at the Leveson Inquiry yesterday. Thais Portilho-Shrimpton reports. The Prime Minister has praised Lord Hunt’s proposals for a new PCC,… Read more »
The Deputy Prime Minister has told the Leveson Inquiry enough opportunities have been given to a “pure judge and jury self-regulation method” to prove itself. Nick Clegg said this morning he believed steps needed to be taken to protect freedom of speech, but also to ensure against the abuse of power in the press. He… Read more »
Jeremy Hunt congratulated James Murdoch over the BSkyB bid going through Brussels hours before being appointed to replace Vince Cable, the Leveson Inquiry has heard. The culture secretary sent a text message to James Murdoch on December 21, 2010 – just hours before he was handed responsibility for the bid – to congratulate him after… Read more »
Vince Cable has claimed News Corporation made “veiled threats” against the Liberal Democrat Party over the BSkyB bid. The business secretary – in charge of overseeing the proposed takeover until December 2010 – told the Leveson Inquiry today colleagues had approached him claiming his party would be “done over” by News International newspapers if the… Read more »
The Leveson Inquiry has heard Jeremy Hunt and other officials knew of special adviser Adam Smith’s contact with News Corporation over the BSkyB bid. Smith said officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport asked him to liase with News Corp lobbyist Frederic Michel over various issues but admitted they may not have known… Read more »
The position of culture secretary Jeremy Hunt is in jeopardy today after private emails between his office and News Corp were revealed at the Leveson Inquiry. Sensitive information about the progress of News Corp’s takeover bid for BSkyB and private feedback was passed from the politician to James Murdoch, giving evidence before Lord Justice Leveson… Read more »
