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Leveson Inquiry: Hunt defends conduct over BSkyB bid Leveson Inquiry: Hunt defends 'great news' BSkyB text
(about 1 hour later)
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has defended his handling of News Corp's attempt to take over broadcaster BSkyB as he gives evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics. Jeremy Hunt sent a congratulatory text message to News Corp executive James Murdoch just hours before he was asked to oversee the firm's bid for BSkyB, the Leveson Inquiry has heard.
Mr Hunt said he was not a "cheerleader" for Rupert Murdoch's company and he did not "socialise" with News Corp lobbyist Frederic Michel. The culture secretary told Mr Murdoch it was "great news" European regulators did not intend to intervene.
Mr Hunt has denied News Corp had influence within his office. Mr Hunt told the inquiry he had been "sympathetic" to the bid but "set aside" his views when given the role.
He said he was "sympathetic" over the company's attempt to secure the deal. He also denied News Corp had influence within his office.
But referring to a November memo on the bid that he sent to Prime Minister David Cameron before he was asked to oversee approval for it, the culture secretary said "apart from informing the prime minister of my views I wasn't actually doing anything about it". The decision to ask Mr Hunt to adjudicate on the BSkyB bid came after Business Secretary Vince Cable was stripped of responsibilities after telling undercover journalists he had "declared war" on News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch.
He added that at the time he had concerns that there was a merger happening in his sector that was encountering obstacles, but he wanted to be "absolutely proper" about how he approached it. The culture secretary said he would not have sent the "Great news on Brussels just [regulator] Ofcom to go" text to Mr Murdoch had he known he would be given responsibility himself later the same day.
At that time the bid was in the hands of Business Secretary Vince Cable and the inquiry heard Mr Hunt sent a congratulatory message to News Corp executive James Murdoch after it was announced on 21 December 2010 that the European Commission would not be intervening over the bid. It was one of a number of messages Mr Hunt exchanged with Mr Murdoch on the afternoon of 21 December 2010 after the executive - described by Mr Hunt as an "industry big player" - had tried to contact him by phone.
The culture secretary said he would not have sent the "Great news on Brussels just [regulator] Ofcom to go" text had he known he would be given responsibility himself later the same day. Mr Hunt said he had earlier concerns that there was a merger happening in his sector that was encountering obstacles, but he wanted to be "absolutely proper" about how he approached it.
He admitted having a mobile phone conversation with James Murdoch on 16 November 2010 to hear what was "on his mind at that time" and considered that "appropriate" behaviour.
The bid decision was taken away from Mr Cable after he told undercover journalists he had declared war on the Murdochs. Mr Hunt said he had "set aside" his own sympathies when he took on the role. But referring to a November memo on the bid that he sent to Prime Minister David Cameron before he was asked to oversee approval for it, Mr Hunt said that "apart from informing the prime minister of my views I wasn't actually doing anything about it".
"My suitability for the role was demonstrated by the fact that I set up a process explicitly to make sure I couldn't express any of those sympathies or use any of those sympathies to inform my decision," he said.
"It was widely known that I was broadly sympathetic towards the bid," he added.
On the moment the bid decision was handed to him, Mr Hunt told the inquiry: "My suitability for the role was demonstrated by the fact that I set up a process explicitly to make sure I couldn't express any of those sympathies or use any of those sympathies to inform my decision."
He added a decision to publish independent advice he had been given was "about persuading the public that I was approaching the subject fairly".He added a decision to publish independent advice he had been given was "about persuading the public that I was approaching the subject fairly".
Questioning from Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is focusing on what contact Mr Hunt authorised between his junior special adviser Adam Smith and Mr Michel. Mr Smith resigned over the issue in April. Asked by Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, about comments on his personal website which said he was a "cheerleader for Murdoch", Mr Hunt said it had been a comment in a press article by a journalist and not how he would describe himself.
Questioning moved on to the contact Mr Hunt authorised between his junior special adviser Adam Smith and News Corporation lobbyist Frederic Michel. Mr Smith resigned in April over the level of contact he and Mr Michel had.
The culture secretary has supplied the inquiry with 160 pages of memos, emails and text message transcripts.The culture secretary has supplied the inquiry with 160 pages of memos, emails and text message transcripts.
Mr Hunt told the inquiry his departmental email account was looked after by staff who alerted him to anything significant. He said his departmental email account was looked after by staff who alerted him to anything significant.
He said he saw Mr Smith's role as an "official point of contact" for News Corp although he did not regard him as the only "channel" for inquiries the company might have.He said he saw Mr Smith's role as an "official point of contact" for News Corp although he did not regard him as the only "channel" for inquiries the company might have.
Asked by Mr Jay about comments on his personal website which said he was a "cheerleader for Murdoch", Mr Hunt said it had been a comment in a press article by a journalist and not how he would describe himself.
'A character''A character'
The current phase of the inquiry is examining the relationship between the press and politicians. The current phase of the inquiry into media ethics is examining the relationship between the press and politicians.
Labour has argued the culture secretary should stand down as he was in breach of the ministerial code for failing to supervise his adviser and for misleading the Commons.Labour has argued the culture secretary should stand down as he was in breach of the ministerial code for failing to supervise his adviser and for misleading the Commons.
Mr Smith told the inquiry last week that Mr Michel had "bombarded" him with telephone calls, emails and text messages but departmental officials were not aware of the "extent" of the exchanges.Mr Smith told the inquiry last week that Mr Michel had "bombarded" him with telephone calls, emails and text messages but departmental officials were not aware of the "extent" of the exchanges.
The culture secretary told the inquiry Mr Michel was a "character" but his department had not anticipated the "barrage" of messages he had sent. The culture secretary told the inquiry Mr Michel was a "character" but he he did not "socialise" with him and his department had not anticipated the "barrage" of messages he had sent.
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp unveiled its bid for BSkyB in June 2010 but abandoned it in July 2011 amid outrage over the phone-hacking scandal at News Corp's News of the World newspaper, which has since closed. News Corp unveiled its bid for BSkyB in June 2010 but abandoned it in July 2011 amid outrage over the phone-hacking scandal at News Corp's News of the World newspaper, which has since closed.
Mr Cameron has supported Mr Hunt but has warned if evidence to the inquiry suggests the ministerial code might have been breached, he will take immediate action. A decision on whether his independent ethics adviser, Sir Alex Allan, should investigate is expected shortly after Mr Hunt gives evidence.Mr Cameron has supported Mr Hunt but has warned if evidence to the inquiry suggests the ministerial code might have been breached, he will take immediate action. A decision on whether his independent ethics adviser, Sir Alex Allan, should investigate is expected shortly after Mr Hunt gives evidence.