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Leveson Inquiry: Cable viewed BSkyB bid with 'independent mind' Leveson Inquiry: Cable viewed BSkyB bid with 'independent mind'
(40 minutes later)
Business Secretary Vince Cable has told the Leveson Inquiry he kept "an independent mind" when assessing News Corporation's 2010 bid for BSkyB.Business Secretary Vince Cable has told the Leveson Inquiry he kept "an independent mind" when assessing News Corporation's 2010 bid for BSkyB.
The Lib Dem MP's role passed to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt after Mr Cable was recorded saying he had "declared war" on News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch.The Lib Dem MP's role passed to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt after Mr Cable was recorded saying he had "declared war" on News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch.
Mr Hunt has himself come under fire as he had expressed support for the bid.Mr Hunt has himself come under fire as he had expressed support for the bid.
Mr Cable said "most people in public life have views... the requirement... is to set those on one side".Mr Cable said "most people in public life have views... the requirement... is to set those on one side".
Mr Cable told two undercover reporters from The Daily Telegraph in December 2010 that he was seeking to block News Corp's attempt to buy the 61% of BSkyB shares it did not already own, by referring the bid to regulators Ofcom. He told two undercover reporters from The Daily Telegraph in December 2010 that he was seeking to block News Corp's attempt to buy the 61% of BSkyB shares it did not already own, by referring the bid to regulators Ofcom.
But questioned by inquiry counsel Robert Jay QC on the role of making quasi-judicial decisions, Mr Cable said: "With an independent mind doesn't mean with a blank mind." 'Pent-up feelings'
In his witness statement to the inquiry, Mr Cable says his "references to a 'War on Murdoch' were making the point, no doubt rather hyperbolically, that l had no intention of being intimidated.
"Clearly, I should not have volunteered my unprompted opinion, even in a private, confidential conversation."
But he told the inquiry he made the comments as part of a longer conservation with the reporters in which he expressed "pent-up feelings".
He added his language was influenced by the fact that he was in an "extremely tense and emotional frame of mind" while a protest was taking place outside his constituency office at the time.
Earlier, questioned by inquiry counsel Robert Jay QC on the role of making quasi-judicial decisions, Mr Cable said: "With an independent mind doesn't mean with a blank mind."
He said his role was to "consider representations, the evidence, the facts and decide on that and only on that".He said his role was to "consider representations, the evidence, the facts and decide on that and only on that".
'No disrespect'
Mr Cable added that he had thought Mr Murdoch's newspapers had "disproportionate political influence" but that was not a factor in his decision to refer the News Corp bid.Mr Cable added that he had thought Mr Murdoch's newspapers had "disproportionate political influence" but that was not a factor in his decision to refer the News Corp bid.
"My views about this company were actually quite nuanced," he said."My views about this company were actually quite nuanced," he said.
"...some politicians got too close to them. But I never had a bad experience myself at the hands of News International newspapers.""...some politicians got too close to them. But I never had a bad experience myself at the hands of News International newspapers."
Mr Cable said he did not wish to be "disrespectful" to News Corp executive James Murdoch by turning down the offer of a meeting, but gave it careful thought and decided that it was "not appropriate". But Mr Cable said he heard there had been "veiled threats" that if he made the "wrong decision" on the bid the Lib Dems would be "done over" in the papers.
He said he did not wish to be "disrespectful" to News Corp executive James Murdoch by turning down the offer of a meeting, but gave it careful thought and decided that it was "not appropriate".
The company had the option to put its views in writing which it did, he added. He also received lobbying from other groups including the BBC, the TUC, media research firm Enders, the Guardian, BT and Capital Research Management.The company had the option to put its views in writing which it did, he added. He also received lobbying from other groups including the BBC, the TUC, media research firm Enders, the Guardian, BT and Capital Research Management.
The business secretary said he "did not think it appropriate" to have a discussion with Mr Hunt about the bid - because it was his role to make the decision - and was not aware of any attempt by the culture secretary to speak to him on the subject.The business secretary said he "did not think it appropriate" to have a discussion with Mr Hunt about the bid - because it was his role to make the decision - and was not aware of any attempt by the culture secretary to speak to him on the subject.
Mr Hunt is to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry on Thursday.Mr Hunt is to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry on Thursday.
Last week it emerged he had sent a memo to Prime Minister David Cameron indicating his support for the deal, prior to overseeing the bid, but also cautioning it would be "wrong for the government to get involved in such a competition issue".Last week it emerged he had sent a memo to Prime Minister David Cameron indicating his support for the deal, prior to overseeing the bid, but also cautioning it would be "wrong for the government to get involved in such a competition issue".
The culture secretary insists that he oversaw the process "with scrupulous fairness" and has been backed by Mr Cameron and his department's most senior civil servant.The culture secretary insists that he oversaw the process "with scrupulous fairness" and has been backed by Mr Cameron and his department's most senior civil servant.
After Mr Cable, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke will be giving evidence to the inquiry, which is currently looking at the relationship between press and politicians.After Mr Cable, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke will be giving evidence to the inquiry, which is currently looking at the relationship between press and politicians.