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Leveson inquiry: Alastair Campbell, Lord O'Donnell - live Leveson inquiry: Alastair Campbell, Lord O'Donnell - live
(40 minutes later)
10.17am: "Documentary evidence does not support any thesis that the rules were bent … Deals cannot be done on telepathy," Davies says. 10.58am: Jay turns to the ministerial code, which O'Donnell agrees is a set of principles.
O'Donnell says ministers take the code very seriously. He says, over history, "amazing conflicts" have been allowed to place.
Here is the ministerial code that O'Donnell is discussing.
O'Donnell says he recommended changes to the code in a bid for transparency over ministers' meetings with media proprietors and editors.
"The whole principle behind this was err on the side of caution," he says.
10.51am: O'Donnell is asked about self-regulation of the press.
He says phone hacking has "dented the public perception" of self-regulation and that the PCC "didn't solve the problems; didn't foresee them" and "in a sense, there was no regulator" because it did not see itself as one.
10.50am: O'Donnell says he agrees with David Cameron that relationships between proprietors and top politicians got too close.
He is asked about special advisers.
O'Donnell says that special advisers often have a media or PR background and he believes some of them may leak or spin stories to newspapers.
10.46am: O'Donnell asks for the inquiry to explore the potential for separating news and comment in newspapers; he says these two are "much more mixed up than I think it should be".
Lord Justice Leveson asks whether it is tenable for broadcasters to remain impartial.
O'Donnell says any regulation of the media should "look at" all media, including broadcasters and newspapers, because to do otherwise would "create incentives" for the different mediums.
"Do the readers understand that they are actually subject to different sets of regulation?" asks O'Donnell. He is worried that specific legislation to cover the media would cover today's technology, but adds that it is very complex "which is why we have such an eminent inquiry..."
"Don't start," interrupts Leveson, to laughter.
10.39am: O'Donnell is asked about the perceived closeness between newspaper proprietors and top politicians.
"The degree of relationships increased through time, there's no doubt about that," he says. "But I am not aware of anything … where I think something happened that shouldn't have done."
O'Donnell says it is in politicians' "strong interests" to talk to editors and proprietors to explain policies and attempt to win their support.
"As long as you have newspapers which are allowed to strongly support political parties … that relationship is going to continue."
O'Donnell says he would like to see a shift to a US model for newspapers, which largely separate "pretty straight" news stories from editorial opinion.
10.34am: O'Donnell opposed televising lobby briefings because he believed that would turn the press secretary into a public figure.
He describes "the dark arts" as when politicians would spin policies to suit a particular newspapers. He says the lobby briefing was meant to be a "definitive guide" to policies to "keep the system honest".
10.32am: Jay asks if Major was obsessed with press coverage.
Major felt "quite strongly that it was important that the press should be accurate," O'Donnell says. "He took a keen interest".
O'Donnell adds that Major "got particularly upset" when subject to criticism of a personal nature and once sued the New Statesman over "incorrect statements," he says.
10.28am: Jay asks about Lord O'Donnell's time as press secretary for John Major during his prime ministership, between 1990 and 1997.
O'Donnell says his job was to make sure all newspapers were represented in the lobby system, following the Guardian and Independent's exit under his predecessor Sir Bernard Ingham.
He was the impartial explainer of government policy he says, adding that he does not believe the election of John Major in 1992 was influenced by the press.
10.24am: Lord O'Donnell, the former cabinet secretary, has taken the witness stand.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.
10.20am: Davies says there was "no express deal, no implied deal either" for the Times takeover. "To call this thesis speculation is to use too dignified a term," he says.
Davies adds that it is "against the rules" for Jay to accuse Murdoch of selective amnesia after – and not during – the News Corp boss had given evidence.
"There is no basis for Mr Jay's delayed airing of doubts over [Murdoch's] credibility," he says.
Davies has now finished the News International statement.
10.17am: Davies says that Jay claimed deals were done using "finely tuned antennae" and "this is the stuff of fantasy".
"Documentary evidence does not support any thesis that the rules were bent … Deals cannot be done on telepathy," he says.
Murdoch did not ask Thatcher to cut any corners for him over the Times deal, he adds.Murdoch did not ask Thatcher to cut any corners for him over the Times deal, he adds.
10.09am: News International is making an opening statement about module three, the inquiry probe into relations between press and police.10.09am: News International is making an opening statement about module three, the inquiry probe into relations between press and police.
Rhodri Davies, the News International counsel, is on his feet.Rhodri Davies, the News International counsel, is on his feet.
Davies criticises the inquiry's lead counsel, Robert Jay QC, for implying in his statement that there was a "sinister" relationship between News International and politicians. He says this is "quite wrong" and newspapers are perfectly entitled to support politicians if they agree with them.Davies criticises the inquiry's lead counsel, Robert Jay QC, for implying in his statement that there was a "sinister" relationship between News International and politicians. He says this is "quite wrong" and newspapers are perfectly entitled to support politicians if they agree with them.
"The problem comes when proprietors prostitute their papers," he adds."The problem comes when proprietors prostitute their papers," he adds.
Davies says it seemed at times from Jay's opening statement that it was "discreditable to own or edit the Sun".Davies says it seemed at times from Jay's opening statement that it was "discreditable to own or edit the Sun".
10.05am: The inquiry has begun.10.05am: The inquiry has begun.
Lord Justice Leveson opens by turning to the Independent on Sunday's story about Andy Coulson on 6 May.Lord Justice Leveson opens by turning to the Independent on Sunday's story about Andy Coulson on 6 May.
Leveson says he will publish later today a detailed ruling in relation to this incident. He will not take action under section 36 of the Inquiries Act.Leveson says he will publish later today a detailed ruling in relation to this incident. He will not take action under section 36 of the Inquiries Act.
However, he warns anyone considering publishing material not yet heard by the inquiry to read the judgment very carefully.However, he warns anyone considering publishing material not yet heard by the inquiry to read the judgment very carefully.
10.04am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:10.04am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:
NewsInt going to make opening statement to Leveson this am, big legal guns present, so expect something interesting..NewsInt going to make opening statement to Leveson this am, big legal guns present, so expect something interesting..
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 14, 2012— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 14, 2012
9.56am: Here's how the Guardian's Stephen Bates described Campbell's evidence before the Leveson inquiry in November:9.56am: Here's how the Guardian's Stephen Bates described Campbell's evidence before the Leveson inquiry in November:
He was determined to have his day in court and, for three hours, he had it entirely on his own terms, to settle scores and disdain his former trade. "I have a very, very thick skin," he told the inquiry, demonstrating perhaps the opposite. "I frankly have reached the point where I genuinely don't care what the papers say about me at all. I have never sued a paper … most of the bile, I couldn't give a damn."He was determined to have his day in court and, for three hours, he had it entirely on his own terms, to settle scores and disdain his former trade. "I have a very, very thick skin," he told the inquiry, demonstrating perhaps the opposite. "I frankly have reached the point where I genuinely don't care what the papers say about me at all. I have never sued a paper … most of the bile, I couldn't give a damn."
The press was relentlessly negative, its agendas swamped its news-gathering, its journalists invented quotes and made up stories: "This is routine, this is endemic. The attitude is, 'How do we turn this to fit what we think of the world?' If the public knew the truth about the way certain sections of the media operate, it would be absolutely horrified."The press was relentlessly negative, its agendas swamped its news-gathering, its journalists invented quotes and made up stories: "This is routine, this is endemic. The attitude is, 'How do we turn this to fit what we think of the world?' If the public knew the truth about the way certain sections of the media operate, it would be absolutely horrified."
Campbell produced a 55-page witness statement, detailing some of the horrors, but a draft had already been leaked on the web. "I think British journalism is the best in the world and the worst in the world, sometimes in the same edition. I do defend a free press, but this press is barely worth defending."Campbell produced a 55-page witness statement, detailing some of the horrors, but a draft had already been leaked on the web. "I think British journalism is the best in the world and the worst in the world, sometimes in the same edition. I do defend a free press, but this press is barely worth defending."
He turned his ire especially on Paul Dacre, editor of the Daily Mail. This was Campbell in St Sebastian mode, assailed by lies and smears by a newspaper constructed entirely in its editor's image. The Mail had only printed a correction after it reported his father had died, when he was demonstrably still alive.He turned his ire especially on Paul Dacre, editor of the Daily Mail. This was Campbell in St Sebastian mode, assailed by lies and smears by a newspaper constructed entirely in its editor's image. The Mail had only printed a correction after it reported his father had died, when he was demonstrably still alive.
You can read the full article here.You can read the full article here.
9.52am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.52am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Today Alastair Campbell, former director of communications and strategy for Tony Blair, gives evidence for a second time.Today Alastair Campbell, former director of communications and strategy for Tony Blair, gives evidence for a second time.
In November, Campbell typically pulled no punches at the inquiry, describing a "frankly putrid" press with some sections "barely worth defending". His targets included Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre and his former employer the Daily Mirror, which he accused of hiring private eyes to investigate him and Peter Mandelson.In November, Campbell typically pulled no punches at the inquiry, describing a "frankly putrid" press with some sections "barely worth defending". His targets included Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre and his former employer the Daily Mirror, which he accused of hiring private eyes to investigate him and Peter Mandelson.
He is expected to be similarly forthright today as he is questioned about his relationship with journalists as Tony Blair's press chief and his role in persuading Rupert Murdoch's Sun to back Labour at the 1997 general election.He is expected to be similarly forthright today as he is questioned about his relationship with journalists as Tony Blair's press chief and his role in persuading Rupert Murdoch's Sun to back Labour at the 1997 general election.
Also giving evidence is Lord O'Donnell, who as Sir Gus O'Donnell was cabinet secretary for three prime ministers from 2005 to 2011.Also giving evidence is Lord O'Donnell, who as Sir Gus O'Donnell was cabinet secretary for three prime ministers from 2005 to 2011.
In No 10, O'Donnell was responsible for ensuring ministers' advisers had the correct security clearance, and he is likely to be asked why former News of the World editor Andy Coulson was only given mid-level SC clearance and whether he had access to top secret papers.In No 10, O'Donnell was responsible for ensuring ministers' advisers had the correct security clearance, and he is likely to be asked why former News of the World editor Andy Coulson was only given mid-level SC clearance and whether he had access to top secret papers.
O'Donnell is also expected to be asked whether he persuaded Gordon Brown not to set up a phone-hacking inquiry before the last general election.O'Donnell is also expected to be asked whether he persuaded Gordon Brown not to set up a phone-hacking inquiry before the last general election.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.