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David Cameron wins advance access to Leveson inquiry witness statements David Cameron wins advance access to Leveson inquiry witness statements
(40 minutes later)
David Cameron and seven other cabinet ministers will be given advance sight of witness statements to the Leveson inquiry, including those submitted by the former Downing Street spin doctor Andy Coulson and ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks.David Cameron and seven other cabinet ministers will be given advance sight of witness statements to the Leveson inquiry, including those submitted by the former Downing Street spin doctor Andy Coulson and ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks.
James Eadie, QC, counsel to the inquiry for the government, argued successfully at an emergency hearing of the inquiry called by Lord Justice Leveson on Friday afternoon that ministers should be granted core participant status, allowing them advance sight of witness statements, and be prepared to respond to potential criticism.James Eadie, QC, counsel to the inquiry for the government, argued successfully at an emergency hearing of the inquiry called by Lord Justice Leveson on Friday afternoon that ministers should be granted core participant status, allowing them advance sight of witness statements, and be prepared to respond to potential criticism.
Leveson conceded that Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, was disadvantaged by not having prior notice of 163 pages of emails between his office and News Corporation, which were submitted to the inquiry last month as part of Rupert Murdoch's evidence. The resulting political row has left Hunt facing calls from the Labour party for his resignation.Leveson conceded that Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, was disadvantaged by not having prior notice of 163 pages of emails between his office and News Corporation, which were submitted to the inquiry last month as part of Rupert Murdoch's evidence. The resulting political row has left Hunt facing calls from the Labour party for his resignation.
Eadie applied for the status on behalf of Cameron, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, Hunt, justice secretary Ken Clarke, home secretary Theresa May, business secretary Vince Cable, chancellor George Osborne and education secretary Michael Gove.Eadie applied for the status on behalf of Cameron, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, Hunt, justice secretary Ken Clarke, home secretary Theresa May, business secretary Vince Cable, chancellor George Osborne and education secretary Michael Gove.
All are expected to give evidence in person to the inquiry apart from Osborne, who will be submitting a written witness statement.All are expected to give evidence in person to the inquiry apart from Osborne, who will be submitting a written witness statement.
Coulson and Brooks are due to give evidence next week, with the inquiry beginning to take evidence from politicians later in May.
The government's application for core participant status was made just ahead of what is expected to be a difficult week at the Leveson inquiry for the Conservatives. Coulson, Cameron's former director of communications and ex-editor of the News of the World, gives evidence on Thursday and Brooks on Friday.The government's application for core participant status was made just ahead of what is expected to be a difficult week at the Leveson inquiry for the Conservatives. Coulson, Cameron's former director of communications and ex-editor of the News of the World, gives evidence on Thursday and Brooks on Friday.
As core participants, Cameron and his ministers can argue for redactions in Brooks' and Coulson's statements before they are published on the inquiry website.
Leveson described the application as "somewhat unusual" but said it would be granted. "A witness who is likely to be the subject of potentially damaging evidence, which will generate what may well be legitimate public commentary, ought also to be aware of the broad nature of that evidence in advance," he added.Leveson described the application as "somewhat unusual" but said it would be granted. "A witness who is likely to be the subject of potentially damaging evidence, which will generate what may well be legitimate public commentary, ought also to be aware of the broad nature of that evidence in advance," he added.
Eadie told Leveson the government was only interested in exercising its right to get advance sight of witness statements and was not applying because core participant status also came with the right to make opening statements.Eadie told Leveson the government was only interested in exercising its right to get advance sight of witness statements and was not applying because core participant status also came with the right to make opening statements.
The government's application is designed to ensure it does not find itself in the middle of another political row if any more damaging allegations emerge at the Leveson inquiry in the coming weeks, when former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are also due to give evidence.The government's application is designed to ensure it does not find itself in the middle of another political row if any more damaging allegations emerge at the Leveson inquiry in the coming weeks, when former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are also due to give evidence.
Cameron was on the back foot last week after evidence submitted to the Leveson inquiry revealed that Hunt's special advisor, Adam Smith, had been in close contact with News Corp lobbyist Frédéric Michel over a period of months while Rupert Murdoch's media company was making an £8bn bid to take over BSkyB. Smith resigned, while Hunt remains under pressure to clarify his role.Cameron was on the back foot last week after evidence submitted to the Leveson inquiry revealed that Hunt's special advisor, Adam Smith, had been in close contact with News Corp lobbyist Frédéric Michel over a period of months while Rupert Murdoch's media company was making an £8bn bid to take over BSkyB. Smith resigned, while Hunt remains under pressure to clarify his role.
Leveson said that the lack of forewarning to both Cameron and Hunt meant they had little chance to respond and no chance to correct errors in the emails, including claims by Michel that he had spoken to or emailed Hunt directly, when in fact his contact was Smith.Leveson said that the lack of forewarning to both Cameron and Hunt meant they had little chance to respond and no chance to correct errors in the emails, including claims by Michel that he had spoken to or emailed Hunt directly, when in fact his contact was Smith.
The inquiry heard on Friday that written statements have already been submitted by seven of the eight government witnesses, with the remaining statement, from Osborne, due in later that day.The inquiry heard on Friday that written statements have already been submitted by seven of the eight government witnesses, with the remaining statement, from Osborne, due in later that day.
Leveson warned Eadie that all ministers and their special advisers and anyone else in government departments who wanted advance sight of witness statements would have to sign strict confidentiality clauses to prevent leaks.Leveson warned Eadie that all ministers and their special advisers and anyone else in government departments who wanted advance sight of witness statements would have to sign strict confidentiality clauses to prevent leaks.
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