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Leveson inquiry: Vince Cable and Ken Clarke - live Leveson inquiry: Vince Cable and Ken Clarke - live
(40 minutes later)
11.05am: Cable's witness statement has now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.
11.01am: Cable endorses the description of special advisers as the "eyes and ears" and a "buffer" for ministers, as coined by Adam Smith, the resigned special adviser to Jeremy Hunt.
10.58am: Cable is asked about his special advisers.
Giles Wilkes, his lead economic special adviser, had no responsibility to speak for Cable on the bid because they were aware of the sensitivities, he says.
Wilkes and Katie Waring, Cable's special adviser on the media, knew they should approach the deal with great care, he adds.
Wilkes declined a meeting with Michel, adding that there were "compelling reasons" not to meet him.
10.58am: Cable says he "did not think it appropriate" to have a discussion with culture secretary Jeremy Hunt about the bid, because it was his personal task in a quasi-judicial capacity.
He is not aware of any attempt by Hunt to speak to him about the bid.
10.55am: Cable says that no cabinet colleagues contacted him on media policy or the merits of the BSkyB bid.
10.53am: Our story on the dramatic departure of editors Richard Wallace and Tina Weaver from the Mirror titles is now live. Mark Sweney reports:
Richard Wallace and Tina Weaver, editors of Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror, have been dramatically ousted as the two Trinity Mirror titles move to a seven-day publishing model.
Wallace and Weaver are understood to have been called to the office of Mark Hollinshead, managing director of Trinity Mirror's national titles, on Tuesday morning and told their fate. Lloyd Embley, editor of the People, will take over the editorship of the two titles with immediate effect.
The brutal axing of the two long serving editors comes a day after David Grigson officially took over as Trinity Mirror chairman, two months earlier than originally planned. Last month when he was still chairman designate Grigson engineered the departure of chief executive Sly Bailey, who is leaving at the end of the year.
Trinity Mirror is now seeking to appoint an editor for the Daily Mirror for weekdays and a weekend editor, which would combine the editorship of the Mirror's Saturday edition and the Sunday Mirror, with both roles reporting to Embley. A new editor of the People will be also appointed.
10.53am: Cable says he did not wish to be direspectful to Murdoch by turning down a meeting, but gave it careful thought and decided that it was "not appropriate".
10.53am: Cable met James Harding, editor of the Times, on 9 December 2010, Jay says.
The BSkyB bid was discussed, and Harding commented on News Corp's "considerable contribution to the economy".
Cable says that he did not meet Harding as a "News Corp representative" but as the editor of the Times. He told Harding at the meeting that he could not have a discussion on the substance of the deal, which Harding accepted.
Cable had publicly announced weeks previously his intention to intervene in the bid.
10.50am: Cable was invited to a News International drinks reception the following night, but "felt it inappropriate to attend," Jay says, reading from the business secretary's statement.
Frédéric Michel, the News Corp lobbyist, repeatedly asked Cable's private secretary about lining up a meeting with James Murdoch, the inquiry hears.
"The key reason is because I didn't actually think it was necessary, because they had the option to put their views in writings, as they did so," he adds.
10.46am: Jay refers to a note of a "courtesy call" conversation between James Murdoch and Cable on 15 June 2010.
Cable says he was in listening mode and careful not to express a view one way or the other on the bid. A note of the call was taken by an official.
"There was no off-the-cuff opinion on the merger, no," Cable says.
10.46am: Cable says:
My views about this company were actually quite nuanced. I did think there was dispoportionate political influence and some politicians got too close to them. But I never had a bad experience myself at the hands of News International newspapers.
10.42am: Cable decided to intervene in the bid on public interest grounds on 4 November 2010. He says that a change in ownership of the satellite broadcaster – which provided news to commercial radio and Channel 5, he points out – could have had wide ramifications.
10.41am: Cable was advised there was a "real possibility" that his decision to intervene in the BSkyB bid could be subject to a judicial review by News Corporation, but deciding not to intervene could also be challenged by BT and opposition groups.
10.39am: We are getting news that the editor of the Daily Mirror, Richard Wallace, and the Sunday Mirror, Tina Weaver, are to leave the publisher as it moves to a seven-day operation. Josh Halliday has just tweeted:
NEW Daily Mirror editor Richard Wallace and Sunday Mirror editor Tina Weaver made redundant as Trinity Mirror moves to 7-day publishing
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) May 30, 2012
and
Lloyd Embley, serving editor of the People, to edit Daily and Sunday Mirror. People will appoint new editor.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) May 30, 2012
10.38am: Jay is taking Cable through various legal advice he received while he had quasi-judicial authority for the bid.
10.36am: Cable sent formal replies to groups that sent him submissions on the BSkyB bid.
A reply from August 2010 says Cable is grateful for the submission, which will be taken into account. He wrote that the law constrains his decision-making.
10.32am: Our story on Andy Coulson's detention by police for suspected perjury is now live. Severin Carrell writes:
Andy Coulson, David Cameron's former director of communications and ex-News of the World editor, has been detained by Strathclyde police on suspicion of committing perjury.
A police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm officers from Strathclyde police's Operation Rubicon team detained a 44-year-old man in London this morning under Section 14 of the Criminal Procedure Scotland Act on suspicion of committing perjury at the high court in Glasgow.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further in this case."
10.31am: Cable says he was aware that James Murdoch wanted to meet and discuss the bid.
Other groups, such as 38 Degrees, wanted to meet but Cable rejected that too, he says.
10.23am: Jay asks why Cable actively sought the views of Lib Dem colleagues.10.23am: Jay asks why Cable actively sought the views of Lib Dem colleagues.
Cable says he wanted background guidance on media policy.Cable says he wanted background guidance on media policy.
10.22am: Cable was first aware of News Corp's bid for BSkyB on 15 June 2010, when it was publicly announced. James Murdoch notified Cable of the bid, he says, but the business secretary felt no urgency to receive representations.10.22am: Cable was first aware of News Corp's bid for BSkyB on 15 June 2010, when it was publicly announced. James Murdoch notified Cable of the bid, he says, but the business secretary felt no urgency to receive representations.
Cable adds that he was notified by James Murdoch of "the intention to proceed" in November 2010.Cable adds that he was notified by James Murdoch of "the intention to proceed" in November 2010.
10.20am: Cable is asked how the avoidance of bias would be avoided.10.20am: Cable is asked how the avoidance of bias would be avoided.
He says there are procedures and legal checks and balances at every stage.He says there are procedures and legal checks and balances at every stage.
He adds that his actions were subject to advice from officials and lawyers who knew that if a biased decison was made, legal action could be taken through an appeals tribunal.He adds that his actions were subject to advice from officials and lawyers who knew that if a biased decison was made, legal action could be taken through an appeals tribunal.
10.15am: Cable says in his witness statement that the secretary of state can accept undertakings in lieu before the takeover is referred to the Competition Commission.10.15am: Cable says in his witness statement that the secretary of state can accept undertakings in lieu before the takeover is referred to the Competition Commission.
He adds that the decision "must be taken with an independent mind. With an independent mind doesn't mean with a blank mind. Most people in public life have views ... and the requirement on me is to set those on one side for the sake of making this decision. Taking representations, facts ... and making a decision on that, and only on that."He adds that the decision "must be taken with an independent mind. With an independent mind doesn't mean with a blank mind. Most people in public life have views ... and the requirement on me is to set those on one side for the sake of making this decision. Taking representations, facts ... and making a decision on that, and only on that."
10.10am: Cable says it was his responsibility to judge whether there was an issue of plurality from News Corp's proposed BSkyB takeover.10.10am: Cable says it was his responsibility to judge whether there was an issue of plurality from News Corp's proposed BSkyB takeover.
10.08am: Cable saiys he had experience of quasi-judicial decisions while he was a councillor in Glasgow. 10.08am: Cable says he had experience of quasi-judicial decisions while he was a councillor in Glasgow.
He adds:He adds:
If you can't ride two horses at once you shouldn't be in a circus.If you can't ride two horses at once you shouldn't be in a circus.
10.06am: Business secretary Vince Cable takes the stand at the Leveson inquiry.10.06am: Business secretary Vince Cable takes the stand at the Leveson inquiry.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is leading the questioning.Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is leading the questioning.
10.04am: We will bring you more details on the Coulson story as we have them.10.04am: We will bring you more details on the Coulson story as we have them.
Here is the Strathclyde police statement, as reported by STV:Here is the Strathclyde police statement, as reported by STV:
Officers acting for Strathclyde police Operation Rubicon detained a 44-year-old man in London this morning under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure Scotland Act on suspicion of committing perjury at the high court in Glasgow. It would be inappropriate to comment further in this case.Officers acting for Strathclyde police Operation Rubicon detained a 44-year-old man in London this morning under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure Scotland Act on suspicion of committing perjury at the high court in Glasgow. It would be inappropriate to comment further in this case.
10.02am: Andy Coulson has been arrested by Strathclyde police on suspicion of committing perjury at the high court in Glasgow, according to STV. 10.02am: Andy Coulson has been detained by Strathclyde police on suspicion of committing perjury at the high court in Glasgow, according to STV.
9.24am: The Guardian's Esther Addley has just tweeted from the Julian Assange appeal hearing:9.24am: The Guardian's Esther Addley has just tweeted from the Julian Assange appeal hearing:
#Assange loses extradition appeal#Assange loses extradition appeal
— esther addley (@estheraddley) May 30, 2012— esther addley (@estheraddley) May 30, 2012
9.19am: Conservative peer Lord Brooke, who served alongside Clarke in the cabinet under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, suggested last week that the 71-year-old minister might leave government soon.9.19am: Conservative peer Lord Brooke, who served alongside Clarke in the cabinet under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, suggested last week that the 71-year-old minister might leave government soon.
He told the inquiry:He told the inquiry:
I had dinner with him [Clarke] quite recently, and he did say he was finding red boxes at night slightly more trying than he had done in his youth.I had dinner with him [Clarke] quite recently, and he did say he was finding red boxes at night slightly more trying than he had done in his youth.
So how long he will be willing to be in a frontline position, I don't know.So how long he will be willing to be in a frontline position, I don't know.
9.19am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.19am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
The business secretary, Vince Cable, will today give detailed evidence about his handling of News Corporation's abandoned bid for BSkyB.The business secretary, Vince Cable, will today give detailed evidence about his handling of News Corporation's abandoned bid for BSkyB.
The Liberal Democrat minister was stripped of his responsibilities for the £8bn takeover bid in December 2010 after being secretly recorded by the Daily Telegraph saying he had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch.The Liberal Democrat minister was stripped of his responsibilities for the £8bn takeover bid in December 2010 after being secretly recorded by the Daily Telegraph saying he had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch.
His controversial removal led to the handover of quasi-judicial oversight of the bid to culture secretary Jeremy Hunt, who had previously expressed public support for the takeover to go ahead.His controversial removal led to the handover of quasi-judicial oversight of the bid to culture secretary Jeremy Hunt, who had previously expressed public support for the takeover to go ahead.
Cable is expected to be pressed on why his office appeared to shun all lobbying efforts by News Corp public affairs boss Frédéric Michel while he was in charge of the deal. His evidence is likely to bring fresh scrutiny on Hunt's handling of the bid between December 2010 and July 2011. Hunt will face a full day of questions at the inquiry tomorrow.Cable is expected to be pressed on why his office appeared to shun all lobbying efforts by News Corp public affairs boss Frédéric Michel while he was in charge of the deal. His evidence is likely to bring fresh scrutiny on Hunt's handling of the bid between December 2010 and July 2011. Hunt will face a full day of questions at the inquiry tomorrow.
The justice secretary, Ken Clarke, will also give evidence today.The justice secretary, Ken Clarke, will also give evidence today.
Clarke entered government in 1985 under Margaret Thatcher and later held numerous cabinet positions, including health secretary, education secretary, home secretary and chancellor of the exchequer.Clarke entered government in 1985 under Margaret Thatcher and later held numerous cabinet positions, including health secretary, education secretary, home secretary and chancellor of the exchequer.
Clarke was described by the Labour MP Tom Watson last week as a "target MP" for the Sun because he is "prepared to make decisions not based on how it would be reported by tabloid newspapers".Clarke was described by the Labour MP Tom Watson last week as a "target MP" for the Sun because he is "prepared to make decisions not based on how it would be reported by tabloid newspapers".
The inquiry begins at 10am.The inquiry begins at 10am.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.