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Leveson Inquiry: Press relations unhealthy, says Tony Blair Leveson Inquiry: Press relations unhealthy, says Tony Blair
(40 minutes later)
An "unhealthy" relationship has evolved between the press and politicians, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Leveson Inquiry.An "unhealthy" relationship has evolved between the press and politicians, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Leveson Inquiry.
But he told the media ethics hearing close interaction between politicians and newspapers was inevitable.But he told the media ethics hearing close interaction between politicians and newspapers was inevitable.
Mr Blair also said his family faced intense pressure from the press, which he called "unnecessary and wrong".Mr Blair also said his family faced intense pressure from the press, which he called "unnecessary and wrong".
Earlier, a protester had to be ejected after getting into the court and calling Mr Blair a "war criminal".Earlier, a protester had to be ejected after getting into the court and calling Mr Blair a "war criminal".
Proceedings were interrupted for around 20 seconds during Monday morning's session before the man was escorted away. 'Unhealthy, not cosy'
Lord Justice Leveson apologised to Mr Blair and questioned how the man was able to enter the court through what should have been a secure corridor. An investigation was immediately ordered. The inquiry is investigating press standards, and currently focusing on the relationship between the press and politicians.
Mr Blair said on the record that there was no truth in the allegation, made by the protester, that he was "paid off" by the US banking giant JP Morgan for the Iraq War.
The man, who told reporters his name was David Lawley Wakelin from the Alternative Iraq Enquiry, was arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace and is in custody at a central London police station.
Major confrontation
The inquiry is investigating the link between the press and politicians.
Mr Blair said it would be strange if senior media people and senior politicians did not have an interaction.Mr Blair said it would be strange if senior media people and senior politicians did not have an interaction.
Mr Blair told the inquiry that at its best British journalism was the best in the world.Mr Blair told the inquiry that at its best British journalism was the best in the world.
But he said the word "unhealthy" rather than "cosy" was a better description of the relationship in some cases.But he said the word "unhealthy" rather than "cosy" was a better description of the relationship in some cases.
He told the inquiry: "It's almost impossible now, even now, to dispute this issue to do with so-called 'spin'.He told the inquiry: "It's almost impossible now, even now, to dispute this issue to do with so-called 'spin'.
"I can't believe we are the first and only government that has ever wanted to put the best possible gloss on what we're doing, that is a completely different thing to saying that you go out to say things that are deliberately untrue.""I can't believe we are the first and only government that has ever wanted to put the best possible gloss on what we're doing, that is a completely different thing to saying that you go out to say things that are deliberately untrue."
Counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC asked Mr Blair why he had not taken on the media.Counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC asked Mr Blair why he had not taken on the media.
He responded that this would have provoked a major confrontation and he had not wanted that to detract from other policy goals.He responded that this would have provoked a major confrontation and he had not wanted that to detract from other policy goals.
Mr Blair revealed his wife Cherie instructed lawyers to challenge press coverage on more than 30 occasions. Cherie action
"It was full-on, full-frontal, day in day out. That is not journalism. That is an abuse of power," he said. Mr Blair made a range of points in his evidence, including:
'On board'
  • The Sun and the Daily Mail were the two most powerful newspapers. The Sun was important because it was prepared to shift its political allegiance
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  • His government had decided more things against the interests of Rupert Murdoch than for them
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  • It was important to get the Sun "on board" and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks mattered because she was editor at the time. But the decision-maker was Mr Murdoch not Mrs Brooks
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  • His friendship with Mr Murdoch was a working relationship until after he left office and he would never have become the godfather of Mr Murdoch's daughter before then
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  • He defended decision to send Rebekah Brooks a message of support after the phone hacking scandal erupted as he was "not a fair weather friend"
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  • Mr Blair revealed his wife Cherie had taken or considered legal action about press coverage on more than 30 occasions.
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  • He said a certain amount of comment was "perfectly legitimate" but some of the papers, particularly the Daily Mail, "took it too far and it turned into a personal vendetta"
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  • He said some sections of the media "say 'right, we are going to go for that person'", adding: "That's not journalism. In my view it's an abuse of power".
    •
On the influence of the newspapers, Mr Blair said the Sun and the Daily Mail were the two most powerful and the Sun was important because it was prepared to shift its political allegiance.
He said his government had decided more things against the interests of Rupert Murdoch than for them.
Asked about the Sun newspaper, Mr Blair said it was important to get the newspaper "on board".
Mr Blair said former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks mattered because she was editor of the Sun at the time but the decision-maker was Mr Murdoch not Mrs Brooks.
The inquiry was told that in the run up to the Iraq War there were three calls to Mr Murdoch, as well as to other newspapers.
"I would have been wanting to explain what I was doing. I don't think there was anything particularly odd or unusual about that," Mr Blair explained.
Asked about his friendship with Mr Murdoch, the former prime minister said it was a working relationship until after he left office.
He added that he would never have become the godfather of Mr Murdoch's daughter while he was in office.
Mr Jay asked if the 2003 Communications Act had reflected some sort of "implied agreement" with the Murdochs.Mr Jay asked if the 2003 Communications Act had reflected some sort of "implied agreement" with the Murdochs.
Mr Blair replied: "No, absolutely not. For a start the thing thing we did, which was boost Ofcom, was the thing he absolutely disliked. Contrary to what's often written about this."Mr Blair replied: "No, absolutely not. For a start the thing thing we did, which was boost Ofcom, was the thing he absolutely disliked. Contrary to what's often written about this."
He said the strongest lobbying he remembered getting from media organisations during his time in office was from the BBC over the licence fee.He said the strongest lobbying he remembered getting from media organisations during his time in office was from the BBC over the licence fee.
Protester arrested
Proceedings were interrupted for around 20 seconds during Monday morning's session when the protester, who told reporters his name was David Lawley Wakelin from the Alternative Iraq Enquiry, burst in.
Lord Justice Leveson apologised to Mr Blair and questioned how the man was able to enter the court through what should have been a secure corridor. The man was removed and an investigation was immediately ordered.
Mr Blair said on the record that there was no truth in the allegation, made by the protester, that he had been "paid off" by the US banking giant JP Morgan for the Iraq War.
The man was arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace and is in custody at a central London police station.
The former prime minister is the first of several senior politicians due to appear at the inquiry this week, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.The former prime minister is the first of several senior politicians due to appear at the inquiry this week, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
He is under pressure over the way he handled News Corp's attempted takeover of BSkyB.He is under pressure over the way he handled News Corp's attempted takeover of BSkyB.