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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Liam Fox denies cover-up over burglary at his home | Liam Fox denies cover-up over burglary at his home |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Defence Secretary Liam Fox has denied claims Conservative officials lied about a break-in at his home last year. | Defence Secretary Liam Fox has denied claims Conservative officials lied about a break-in at his home last year. |
| The Sun says it was a cover-up as he was said to have been alone at the time when in fact a man stayed overnight. | The Sun says it was a cover-up as he was said to have been alone at the time when in fact a man stayed overnight. |
| Mr Fox, who is under pressure over his friendship with lobbyist Adam Werritty, says he was appalled at being portrayed as someone who had something to hide. | Mr Fox, who is under pressure over his friendship with lobbyist Adam Werritty, says he was appalled at being portrayed as someone who had something to hide. |
| He insists he told police a friend was staying in the guest room and added for "clarity" that it was not Mr Werritty. | He insists he told police a friend was staying in the guest room and added for "clarity" that it was not Mr Werritty. |
| Responding to the Sun's front page, Mr Fox said: "As I told the police at the time, a friend was staying in the guest room. | Responding to the Sun's front page, Mr Fox said: "As I told the police at the time, a friend was staying in the guest room. |
| "My wife was stranded in Hong Kong due to the ash cloud. For the sake of clarity it was not Adam Werritty. | "My wife was stranded in Hong Kong due to the ash cloud. For the sake of clarity it was not Adam Werritty. |
| 'Rather shabby' | 'Rather shabby' |
| "I was a victim of a violent crime, and I'm appalled at being portrayed as having something to hide. We are trying to establish why the media were given the impression I was alone." | "I was a victim of a violent crime, and I'm appalled at being portrayed as having something to hide. We are trying to establish why the media were given the impression I was alone." |
| The burglary at the defence secretary's London flat coincided with the general election campaign. | The burglary at the defence secretary's London flat coincided with the general election campaign. |
| Mr Fox has been accused of breaching ministerial guidelines in relation to his friendship with Mr Werritty, who was best man at his wedding and is his former flatmate. | Mr Fox has been accused of breaching ministerial guidelines in relation to his friendship with Mr Werritty, who was best man at his wedding and is his former flatmate. |
| On Tuesday Mr Werritty was questioned by civil servants, who were expected to ask him why he had joined Mr Fox on 18 overseas trips despite having no official role. | On Tuesday Mr Werritty was questioned by civil servants, who were expected to ask him why he had joined Mr Fox on 18 overseas trips despite having no official role. |
| The latest allegations will put more pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron, who will face questions in the Commons later over the conduct of his defence secretary. | The latest allegations will put more pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron, who will face questions in the Commons later over the conduct of his defence secretary. |
| Shadow defence minister Kevan Jones said the prime minister was afraid to act. | Shadow defence minister Kevan Jones said the prime minister was afraid to act. |
| He said: "This is becoming a judgement on the prime minister's judgement, and in terms of the lectures he's given us about new politics and ethics, I'm sorry Mr Fox's activities are looking rather shabby." | He said: "This is becoming a judgement on the prime minister's judgement, and in terms of the lectures he's given us about new politics and ethics, I'm sorry Mr Fox's activities are looking rather shabby." |
| A Whitehall inquiry has already been ordered into Mr Fox's links with Mr Werritty. | A Whitehall inquiry has already been ordered into Mr Fox's links with Mr Werritty. |
| Number 10 has said serious mistakes were made and asked an internal inquiry to address "all remaining questions". | Number 10 has said serious mistakes were made and asked an internal inquiry to address "all remaining questions". |
| Mr Cameron is understood to have discussed the findings of an interim report on the inquiry with Mr Fox, but is not expected to make a final decision on his future until he sees the full report, which is due on 21 October. | Mr Cameron is understood to have discussed the findings of an interim report on the inquiry with Mr Fox, but is not expected to make a final decision on his future until he sees the full report, which is due on 21 October. |