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 »
A cabinet secretary suggested Jeremy Hunt take over the handling of News Corporation’s bid for BSkyB, George Osbone has told the Leveson Inquiry. Hunt was given oversight of the bid in December 2010 after business secretary Vince Cable was secretly recorded saying he had “declared war” on Rupert Murdoch. Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, was… Read more »
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has denied giving the Sun permission to run a story on his son’s medical condition. Brown told the Leveson Inquiry today the NHS Fife board had sent him a letter of apology, explaining it was highly likely medical details about his son Fraser’s cystic fibrosis were leaked to the press… Read more »
Education secretary Michael Gove has denied having advanced knowledge of News Corporation’s BSkyB bid. The minister – who described News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch as one of the “most impressive and significant figures of the past 50 years” – admitted it would have been important if he knew about the bid before it was officially… Read more »
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied a “cosy” relationship with News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch. Blair told the Leveson Inquiry today he had never made a deal with the media mogul over policy issues but admitted he took the views of the Murdoch press into account when working out government strategy. He said: “There was no… Read more »
Lord Mandelson has denied a “Faustian pact” between the Labour government and Rupert Murdoch. The politician, who held several senior positions under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, told the Leveson Inquiry the opposite was often true. In his written statement to the inquiry, he said: “I reject the view that, under either Mr Blair or… Read more »
