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Liam Fox: 'Wild gossip' dismissed by Chris Grayling Liam Fox: 'Wild gossip' dismissed by Chris Grayling
(about 1 hour later)
Liam Fox has said he will "carry on doing the job I'm meant to do", as a colleague dismissed "wild gossip" about the defence secretary.Liam Fox has said he will "carry on doing the job I'm meant to do", as a colleague dismissed "wild gossip" about the defence secretary.
The row about the role of his friend and self-styled adviser Adam Werritty continues to dominate headlines.The row about the role of his friend and self-styled adviser Adam Werritty continues to dominate headlines.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Fox believes he is the victim of a hate campaign.BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Fox believes he is the victim of a hate campaign.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling told the BBC there was a "mass pursuit" of Mr Fox, who was doing a "good job".Employment Minister Chris Grayling told the BBC there was a "mass pursuit" of Mr Fox, who was doing a "good job".
Mr Fox has been under pressure over the past week after revelations about his friendship with lobbyist Mr Werritty, who was present on 18 overseas trips and met the defence secretary at the MoD 22 times.Mr Fox has been under pressure over the past week after revelations about his friendship with lobbyist Mr Werritty, who was present on 18 overseas trips and met the defence secretary at the MoD 22 times.
Sun claimsSun claims
Asked about his position on his way to Paris to meet his French counterpart on Wednesday, he said: "I shall carry on doing the job I'm meant to do - the job I'm paid for."Asked about his position on his way to Paris to meet his French counterpart on Wednesday, he said: "I shall carry on doing the job I'm meant to do - the job I'm paid for."
The defence secretary has also denied claims that Conservative officials lied about a break-in at his London home last year, following claims in the Sun that they had said Mr Fox was alone at the time - when in fact another man stayed in the flat overnight.The defence secretary has also denied claims that Conservative officials lied about a break-in at his London home last year, following claims in the Sun that they had said Mr Fox was alone at the time - when in fact another man stayed in the flat overnight.
Mr Fox said he told police a friend was staying in the guest room, and added 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.
"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.
Unofficial adviserUnofficial adviser
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. He also carried business cards describing him as an adviser to Mr Fox.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. He also carried business cards describing him as an adviser to Mr Fox.
The story about the break-in matters because it keeps Mr Fox squarely in the media cross hairs and because it raises the dreaded word "cover-up".The story about the break-in matters because it keeps Mr Fox squarely in the media cross hairs and because it raises the dreaded word "cover-up".
We now know journalists were misled by Conservative officials about the circumstances of a break-in at Liam Fox's house.We now know journalists were misled by Conservative officials about the circumstances of a break-in at Liam Fox's house.
We were told that Liam Fox was at home alone, we now know a male friend was staying there at the same time.We were told that Liam Fox was at home alone, we now know a male friend was staying there at the same time.
At one level the circumstances of Mr Fox's private life are entirely his matter but in the current context to have the idea of journalists being misled fuels the pressure on him.At one level the circumstances of Mr Fox's private life are entirely his matter but in the current context to have the idea of journalists being misled fuels the pressure on him.
Eventually an assessment has to be made about how far that is distracting him from doing his job.Eventually an assessment has to be made about how far that is distracting him from doing his job.
Downing Street are standing by him pending the results of the inquiry but I think they will be forming a view as to how long they can sustain this.Downing Street are standing by him pending the results of the inquiry but I think they will be forming a view as to how long they can sustain this.
Alastair Campbell used to have a view you couldn't survive more than 10 days with this sort of story, before a resignation became inevitable.Alastair Campbell used to have a view you couldn't survive more than 10 days with this sort of story, before a resignation became inevitable.
Our political editor says he understands that Mr Fox viewed Mr Werritty as a kind of unofficial adviser, but categorically denied to officials that he was in any sort of relationship with him.Our political editor says he understands that Mr Fox viewed Mr Werritty as a kind of unofficial adviser, but categorically denied to officials that he was in any sort of relationship with him.
He also understands that Mr Werritty was not paid by defence companies for specific pieces of information or arranging meetings - but was paid an annual retainer by a group of private clients for strategic and political advice.He also understands that Mr Werritty was not paid by defence companies for specific pieces of information or arranging meetings - but was paid an annual retainer by a group of private clients for strategic and political advice.
At prime minister's questions, Labour leader Ed Miliband accused David Cameron of being more interested in saving Mr Fox's job than the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country - as official figures show UK unemployment has hit a 17-year high.
"It's one rule if you're in the cabinet, it's another rule for everybody else," Mr Miliband said.
Other Labour MPs pressed for more information about Mr Werritty's meetings with officials and whether Mr Fox could keep his job, if it is shown he broke the ministerial code.
Mr Cameron said the ministerial code was clear that it was ultimately the prime minister's decision and added: "I think the defence secretary has done an excellent job clearing up the complete mess he was left by Labour."
Mr Fox's press conference in Paris will not go ahead - nor will a planned keel-laying ceremony in Barrow on Thursday, blamed on "logistical" reasons. The prime minister's spokesman said the Paris event was never confirmed.Mr Fox's press conference in Paris will not go ahead - nor will a planned keel-laying ceremony in Barrow on Thursday, blamed on "logistical" reasons. The prime minister's spokesman said the Paris event was never confirmed.
Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to face questions about the conduct of his defence secretary at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Asked about rumours that the defence secretary is gay - described by Mr Fox himself as "smears" in a 2005 interview - Mr Grayling, who ran Mr Fox's failed Conservative leadership campaign in 2005, told the BBC there was "all kinds of wild gossip" about politicians.
Asked about rumours that the defence secretary is gay - described by Mr Fox himself as "smears" in a 2005 interview - Mr Grayling, who ran Mr Fox's failed Conservative leadership campaign in 2005, told the BBC: "If you look around the Westminster village you will find all kinds of wild gossip about all kinds of individuals in all parties. That doesn't mean they are not good at their jobs.
"I've known Liam for many years, I've known Liam and his wife, they've always struck me as being a very happily married couple. The reality is that the gossip is certainly circulating."I've known Liam for many years, I've known Liam and his wife, they've always struck me as being a very happily married couple. The reality is that the gossip is certainly circulating.
"I thought we had got past the point in politics though where we needed to worry about people's private lives. What really matters is, is someone doing an important capable job. "I thought we had got past the point in politics though where we needed to worry about people's private lives. What really matters is, is someone doing an important capable job?
"There may be gossip, innuendo and tittle-tattle around but the fact is Liam is a very good defence secretary doing a very good job.""There may be gossip, innuendo and tittle-tattle around but the fact is Liam is a very good defence secretary doing a very good job."
He added: "I've not seen anything emerge in any of this that would give me rise to believe that Liam has done anything substantially wrong or would call his position into question." He said nothing had emerged that implied Mr Fox had done anything substantially wrong.
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. The original MoD report was due on 21 October but Downing Street now says there is no timetable, as it will include the Cabinet Secretary's work on whether Mr Fox broke the ministerial code.