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Leveson inquiry: Andy Coulson, Viscount Rothermere - live Leveson inquiry: Andy Coulson, Viscount Rothermere - live
(40 minutes later)
11.09am: Rothermere is asked for his thoughts on press regulation.
He is careful to say only that there is "a perception that self-regulation has not worked".
Pressed by Jay, he says: "The form of the PCC has not been able to establish a level of trust and faith that is necessary for it to function properly. That is almost certainly the case."
Rothermere believes the PCC has worked as a complaints body, and adds that it is not the job of the commission to administer the law.
11.08am: Rothermere is asked about the Daily Mail's coverage of Madeleine McCann in 2008.
He says "as a parent you would have to be inhuman not to feel deeply" about Madeleine going missing.
He adds:
Firstly, it was obviously a very big story because of the nature of it. The McCanns encouraged publicity for very good reasons. And then there was, I believe, the problems of the jurisdiction [in] Portugal creating briefings. I think our journalists were unfamiliar with the way the Portuguese police operate … a number of allegations were made which we regret … and immediately rectified it and made a donation. It's a regrettable occurrence but it is the nature sometimes of journalism to do that.
11.01am: Murdoch MacLennan, former managing director of Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers, intervened in the dispute and went to a lunch at the Howard Hotel with Desmond "to try pour oil on troubled waters, so to speak".
MacLennan went to the lunch, which Rothermere says was on Desmond's invitation.
Following the lunch, Desmond announced publicly that there had been a truce and that the titles would stop the personal attacks. MacLennan did not believe there had been a truce and that Desmond "was just making trouble".
Rothermere adds that the supposed truce did not last long, because the Express apparently ran further articles criticising the Daily Mail owner.
Jay says: "This in microcosm raises the privacy and harassment concerns we touched on earlier. There isn't really a public interest in talking about you?"
Rothermere replies: "If he had found something genuinely shocking he had every right to publish."
Jay says there was no public interest in what he did publish.
"I don't think so, no," says Rothermere.
Leveson points out the risk that newspapers use the power of their position to have a go at someone and invade their privacy with no public interest justification.
Rothermere says: "There is obviously a danger of it, yes. It is not a conduct that we condone in our company. Paul Dacre's decision to attack Richard Desmond's ownership of the Express … he thought the government had acted wrongly and it was not in the public interest."
"If we have a free press there will always be a danger that someone will try to abuse that power. I do not try and do that. I am very mindful and respectful of the power our newspaper has."
10.56am: Jay is asked about The New Machiavelli by Jonathan Powell, a former aide to Tony Blair.
In the book, Powell referred to an ongoing spat between the Daily Mail and the Daily Express in which both titles wrote unflattering articles about the other paper's owner.
Rothermere admits the Daily Mail called Richard Desmond, owner of the Daily Express, a "pornographer", then says the Express began writing about his illegitimate son of whom Rothermere is "very proud".
He says: "He seemed to think the fact I have an illegitimate son is of some concern. I am very proud of my son. I don't make a secret of it – the idea i am offended by it is slightly offensive."
10.49am: Rothermere had a formal meeting with Hunt and Ed Vaizey on 25 August 2010. He says he did not discuss the BSkyB bid on this occasion.
He adds that he "cannot recall" having discussed the controversial bid – which his newspaper group publicly opposed – with any politician.
Jay asks if he thinks he might have done.
No, because it was obviously a very contentious issue. It's unlikely that I would have got an answer I wanted anyway. The only answer we would have been wanting was a fair review of the process. I didn't really see any politicians at the time other than these two meetings. I had a very full agenda during the meeting with Ed Vaizey and Jeremy Hunt. At that time it was Vince Cable who had the decision, I didn't see him and don't think I have ever spoken to him in my entire life.
"It's also not my job to go around lobbying politicians on things like this," he adds.
10.45am: Rothermere is asked about various private meetings and social occasions attended by politicians and media magnates.
He met with David Cameron, Michael Gove, Michael Green, former head of Carlton Television (and the PM's ex-boss), Jeremy Hunt and others for lunch at Chequers in July 2010, the inquiry hears.
Rothermere says the only media-related conversation was Hunt's attempt to get the Daily Mail group involved in his local TV plans.
Jay asks if Rothermere discussed the News Corp bid to take full control of BSkyB, announced on 15 June 2010, with Cameron, Gove or Hunt.
"No I did not. I am absolutely positive," says Rothermere.
10.42am: Jay asks if Rothermere, like others, was beginning to assess the Conservative party were more likely to win the next election, or be the major force in parliament.
"It did look like there was going to be some form of change. It's important for the company to be adaptable to that," Rothermere says.
Rothermere says he has never discussed phone hacking with government or opposition parties.
10.41am: Jay asks whether Rothermere attempted to get close to political parties that looked likely to be elected in order to secure political favours.
He denies this, but adds: "It's important for us to have a good commercial relationship with all governments so they listen to what we have to say about … regulation."
Rothermere says he met with more Conservatives as it became clear the Tories were more likely to win the 2010 general election.
He says the purpose was to "find out what their commercial ideas were, to familiarise ourselves with them on a commercial basis. I suspect leaders of the opposition want to try and get in with high ranking media individuals so they instigate more meetings."
10.38am: Rothermere says he has sent two text messages to politicians: one to Nick Clegg and one to David Cameron, following the public debates before the 2010 general election saying "congratulations on a job well done".
Jay asks what Rothermere made of Dacre's friendship with Gordon Brown.
"I thought it was amusing and I used to tease him about it," says Rothermere. He adds that he liked Brown and was not opposed to the unlikely friendship.
"Paul has an economic view of the world which is quite different to Gordon but they shared an affinity with one another which is surprising."
10.36am: Jay is leading Rothermere through his diary of meetings with politicians.
Until 2008 you were seeing more government and Lib Dem politicians than Conservative politicians, says Jay. "Yes I think that's right," Rothermere replies.
Rothermere says he has known deputy prime minister Nick Clegg since he was an MEP for Leicester. "He helped us with some legislation in Europe" in the 1990s, he adds.
On his meetings with politicians, Rothermere says:
They try to impress you with their vision for the country. They then might complain about the fact the paper's not supporting them. They don't talk about the commercial interests of the papers. Nor do I encourage them … Sometimes they feel the paper's been hard on them, they implore on me to have some sort of influence. I tell them that will not be the case.
10.35am: Rothermere says Dacre doesn't feel the need to tell him before he launches a particular campaign.
When Dacre launched the plastic bag campaign, he says, "at the time we were polybagging the Sunday paper, we had to change our supplier to a biodegradable one. I said if he had given us a bit of notice we could have changed that before he launched the campaign."
10.34am: Michael White, the Guardian's political commentator who is at the Leveson inquiry, has just tweeted:
#Leveson Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail, is giving evidence to hacking inquiry.He seems a nice, modest young man, very un-Murdoch.
— MichaelWhite (@MichaelWhite) May 10, 2012
10.29am: Rothermere is asked about the resignation of Peter Wright as editor of the Mail on Sunday.10.29am: Rothermere is asked about the resignation of Peter Wright as editor of the Mail on Sunday.
Paul Dacre felt Wright should make way for a younger editor, says Rothermere, adding there were some personal reasons.Paul Dacre felt Wright should make way for a younger editor, says Rothermere, adding there were some personal reasons.
He adds:He adds:
I think Paul [Dacre] felt Mr Wright should make way for a younger, newer editor for various reasons, some personal which I don't wish to go into. Paul wanted to retain Peter's great skill as a journalist to help him navigate a path through appropriate and ethical conduct.I think Paul [Dacre] felt Mr Wright should make way for a younger, newer editor for various reasons, some personal which I don't wish to go into. Paul wanted to retain Peter's great skill as a journalist to help him navigate a path through appropriate and ethical conduct.
10.25am: Rothermere is asked about Rupert Murdoch's comment that Mail Online is a gossip site that steals content from other sites.10.25am: Rothermere is asked about Rupert Murdoch's comment that Mail Online is a gossip site that steals content from other sites.
"Certainly, Mail Online glories in the fact that it isn't just a newspaper online," Rothermere says."Certainly, Mail Online glories in the fact that it isn't just a newspaper online," Rothermere says.
Jay asks if Mail Online pilfers material from other sites.Jay asks if Mail Online pilfers material from other sites.
"I don't get involved in that level of executive control," Rothermere says."I don't get involved in that level of executive control," Rothermere says.
Asked about Mail Online as a business, Rothermere says if the company did not invest so much of its revenue in expanding the business the website would already be profitable.Asked about Mail Online as a business, Rothermere says if the company did not invest so much of its revenue in expanding the business the website would already be profitable.
In his witness statement, Rothermere says he allows his editors to make decisions without regard to commercial considerations. Asked by Jay, he describes those considerations as "advertisers, sometimes they threaten to pull advertising".In his witness statement, Rothermere says he allows his editors to make decisions without regard to commercial considerations. Asked by Jay, he describes those considerations as "advertisers, sometimes they threaten to pull advertising".
10.23am: Rothermere is asked whether he believes the Daily Mail has ever gone too far.10.23am: Rothermere is asked whether he believes the Daily Mail has ever gone too far.
"Sometimes we have breached or appeared to breach and made apologies. I regret those instances," he replies."Sometimes we have breached or appeared to breach and made apologies. I regret those instances," he replies.
Rothermere says he can see why people feel an inquiry into the ethics of the press is necessary.Rothermere says he can see why people feel an inquiry into the ethics of the press is necessary.
"Some elements of our industry have not necessarily acted in the right way, apparently, so it is probably worthy of review," he says, adding that he is confident the Daily Mail has acted ethically. "And I am willing to stand up for us.""Some elements of our industry have not necessarily acted in the right way, apparently, so it is probably worthy of review," he says, adding that he is confident the Daily Mail has acted ethically. "And I am willing to stand up for us."
10.18am: Lord Justice Leveson asks whether politicians know they can meet Rothermere if they believe they are being treated unfairly by the Daily Mail.10.18am: Lord Justice Leveson asks whether politicians know they can meet Rothermere if they believe they are being treated unfairly by the Daily Mail.
Rothermere says by and large he will refer politicians' complaints to Paul Dacre, editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail. On occasion, Rothermere will ask Dacre to look into a specific complaint and make contact with the politician in question.Rothermere says by and large he will refer politicians' complaints to Paul Dacre, editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail. On occasion, Rothermere will ask Dacre to look into a specific complaint and make contact with the politician in question.
He says:He says:
Largely I refer them back to Paul Dacre. If there's an instance I feel justify merit I may bring that up with Paul and suggest he talk to the politician. I won't get involved on a level of opinion but if someone comes to me and says 'your newspaper has printed an untruth' I will say to Paul 'This person has written a letter – would you look into it?' They will either talk to the politician directly or write back to me and say there is no truth in it. Sometimes people have a different opinion of truth ... I don't want to get in a position of constantly having to deal with this issue.Largely I refer them back to Paul Dacre. If there's an instance I feel justify merit I may bring that up with Paul and suggest he talk to the politician. I won't get involved on a level of opinion but if someone comes to me and says 'your newspaper has printed an untruth' I will say to Paul 'This person has written a letter – would you look into it?' They will either talk to the politician directly or write back to me and say there is no truth in it. Sometimes people have a different opinion of truth ... I don't want to get in a position of constantly having to deal with this issue.
10.16am: Jay asks if Rothermere is apolitical.10.16am: Jay asks if Rothermere is apolitical.
Rothermere has been a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords. He says it is important for him not to show political preference and, therefore, lean on his editors through inference.Rothermere has been a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords. He says it is important for him not to show political preference and, therefore, lean on his editors through inference.
I think it's very important in my role not to exhibit partisan political [viewers] ... puts undue pressure on my editors to support a view they think i might have. I don't want to influence them by inference.I think it's very important in my role not to exhibit partisan political [viewers] ... puts undue pressure on my editors to support a view they think i might have. I don't want to influence them by inference.
He adds: "At times inevitably the paper will do things that makes one feel uncomfortable. At that point it stretches the notion of what I have just said."He adds: "At times inevitably the paper will do things that makes one feel uncomfortable. At that point it stretches the notion of what I have just said."
Rothermere says he tries to keep his feelings to himself, even if he believes people are being treated unfairly in his newspapers.Rothermere says he tries to keep his feelings to himself, even if he believes people are being treated unfairly in his newspapers.
10.16am: Rothermere says his family has "a fundamental belief" in the editors and entrepreneurs who run their newspapers, including the Daily Mail and Metro.10.16am: Rothermere says his family has "a fundamental belief" in the editors and entrepreneurs who run their newspapers, including the Daily Mail and Metro.
"We think this is a differentiator," he adds, pointing out that these are the principles of Lord Northcliffe."We think this is a differentiator," he adds, pointing out that these are the principles of Lord Northcliffe.
10.08am: Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is questioning Rothermere.10.08am: Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is questioning Rothermere.
He asks Rothermere about the success of the Daily Mail and Mail Online.He asks Rothermere about the success of the Daily Mail and Mail Online.
Rothermere believes the Daily Mail has been "built on solid ground" and a unique place in the market.Rothermere believes the Daily Mail has been "built on solid ground" and a unique place in the market.
It is built on firm ground with loyal readership – people are prepared to pay a cover price which generates 60% of our revenue.It is built on firm ground with loyal readership – people are prepared to pay a cover price which generates 60% of our revenue.
Jay asks why Rothermere is proud of Mail Online.Jay asks why Rothermere is proud of Mail Online.
Rothermere says: "It has a global footprint, one of the most looked at newspaper sites in the world ... built on a fundamental belief in a trust in journalism as opposed to technology. That's what makes me proud."Rothermere says: "It has a global footprint, one of the most looked at newspaper sites in the world ... built on a fundamental belief in a trust in journalism as opposed to technology. That's what makes me proud."
10.07am: Viscount Rothermere has taken the stand.10.07am: Viscount Rothermere has taken the stand.
Here is a profile of the Daily Mail proprietor.Here is a profile of the Daily Mail proprietor.
10.05am: Lord Justice Leveson says he has used section 21 of the Inquiries Act to "interpose" – or summon – the editor of the Independent on Sunday, John Mullin, after it published an article based on material in Andy Coulson's witness statement.10.05am: Lord Justice Leveson says he has used section 21 of the Inquiries Act to "interpose" – or summon – the editor of the Independent on Sunday, John Mullin, after it published an article based on material in Andy Coulson's witness statement.
He is the first national newspaper editor to be summoned in this way.He is the first national newspaper editor to be summoned in this way.
9.56am: Viscount Rothermere, proprietor of the Daily Mail, is expected to be today's first witness.9.56am: Viscount Rothermere, proprietor of the Daily Mail, is expected to be today's first witness.
In a rare public appearance on behalf of his company, Rothermere told a parliamentary committee in December that he felt "personal concern" at the Daily Mail's coverage of Madeleine McCann's disappearance in 2007.In a rare public appearance on behalf of his company, Rothermere told a parliamentary committee in December that he felt "personal concern" at the Daily Mail's coverage of Madeleine McCann's disappearance in 2007.
Rothermere told the committee it was his duty to "fiercely protect" the editors of his newspapers and that he had not admonished Paul Dacre for the Mail's Madeleine McCann coverage, despite the title being sued for libel by Kate and Gerry McCann.Rothermere told the committee it was his duty to "fiercely protect" the editors of his newspapers and that he had not admonished Paul Dacre for the Mail's Madeleine McCann coverage, despite the title being sued for libel by Kate and Gerry McCann.
9.41am: Andy Coulson is to give evidence this afternoon, reports the Guardian's Dan Sabbagh.9.41am: Andy Coulson is to give evidence this afternoon, reports the Guardian's Dan Sabbagh.
Leveson timetable today: Rothermere on this morning. Then Robert Jay on press and politicians. PM - Andy Coulson. Keep your diaries clear.Leveson timetable today: Rothermere on this morning. Then Robert Jay on press and politicians. PM - Andy Coulson. Keep your diaries clear.
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 10, 2012— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 10, 2012
Gossip amongst the snappers is that Coulson has already taken the train this am; left home at 8.30am. Speculation about his likely route.Gossip amongst the snappers is that Coulson has already taken the train this am; left home at 8.30am. Speculation about his likely route.
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 10, 2012— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 10, 2012
9.38am: David Cameron's own constituents believe he is too close to Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation executives, according to a ComRes poll carried out for the Independent.9.38am: David Cameron's own constituents believe he is too close to Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation executives, according to a ComRes poll carried out for the Independent.
The ComRes poll of 500 people in the prime minister's Witney constituency in Oxfordshire found that 49% believe Cameron is too close to the media empire, while 35% disagree.The ComRes poll of 500 people in the prime minister's Witney constituency in Oxfordshire found that 49% believe Cameron is too close to the media empire, while 35% disagree.
The poll will make uncomfortable reading for No 10, which is bracing itself for potentially damaging revelations from the evidence of Andy Coulson today and Rebekah Brooks tomorrow.The poll will make uncomfortable reading for No 10, which is bracing itself for potentially damaging revelations from the evidence of Andy Coulson today and Rebekah Brooks tomorrow.
You can read the full Independent report here.You can read the full Independent report here.
9.28am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.28am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the World, will give evidence today as the inquiry turns its attention to module three and relations between politicians and the press.Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the World, will give evidence today as the inquiry turns its attention to module three and relations between politicians and the press.
Coulson has been at the heart of both Fleet Street and Westminster, first as News of the World (NoW) editor from 2003 to 2007 and later as David Cameron's communications director. He resigned both posts as a result of the phone-hacking scandal.Coulson has been at the heart of both Fleet Street and Westminster, first as News of the World (NoW) editor from 2003 to 2007 and later as David Cameron's communications director. He resigned both posts as a result of the phone-hacking scandal.
The former editor is expected to face close scrutiny of his appointment by Cameron, just four months after his NotW resignation after the paper's royal reporter, Clive Goodman, pleaded guilty to phone-hacking related charges and was jailed.The former editor is expected to face close scrutiny of his appointment by Cameron, just four months after his NotW resignation after the paper's royal reporter, Clive Goodman, pleaded guilty to phone-hacking related charges and was jailed.
Coulson was arrested and bailed on 8 July 2011 by the Metropolitan police in connection with conspiracy to unlawfully intercept communications and payments to police officers. He has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in any criminal activity at the NotW.Coulson was arrested and bailed on 8 July 2011 by the Metropolitan police in connection with conspiracy to unlawfully intercept communications and payments to police officers. He has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in any criminal activity at the NotW.
The inquiry will also hear from Viscount Rothermere, chairman of Daily Mail & General Trust, publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Mail Online and Metro.The inquiry will also hear from Viscount Rothermere, chairman of Daily Mail & General Trust, publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Mail Online and Metro.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons. Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.