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Leveson Inquiry: Gordon Brown and George Osborne appear Leveson Inquiry: Gordon Brown gives evidence
(about 9 hours later)
Chancellor George Osborne and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards later. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.
Their appearances begin a big week for the inquiry, during which David Cameron will also enter the witness box. His appearances begins a big week for the inquiry, with Chancellor George Osborne giving evidence later.
Mr Osborne will be asked about the hiring of ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson by the Conservatives. Mr Brown will be asked about his relations with News International while in office, and Mr Osborne will be asked about the Conservatives' hiring of ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson.
Mr Brown, meanwhile, will face questions about his relations with News International while in office. Prime Minister David Cameron will enter the witness box on Thursday.
The inquiry, which is currently focusing on the relationship between the press and politicians, is resuming after a week-long adjournment.The inquiry, which is currently focusing on the relationship between the press and politicians, is resuming after a week-long adjournment.
The last witness was Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who was quizzed for six hours about his handling of the bid by News Corp - the parent company of News International - to take full control of satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
'Unbalanced''Unbalanced'
Mr Brown, who will appear first on Monday, is likely to be questioned about his relationship with Rupert Murdoch during his time in government with Labour. Mr Brown began his testimony by saying he had had a "period of enforced reflection, courtesy of the British people" to think about the relationship between Westminster and Fleet Street.
He went on to say that media in Britain, at its best, is the "best in the world" but said that one of the key problems of the press is the conflation of fact and opinion - mirroring the views stated by his predecessor Tony Blair when he appeared at the Leveson Inquiry two weeks ago.
Mr Brown is likely to be questioned about his relationship with Rupert Murdoch during his time in government with Labour.
The News Corp boss told the inquiry in April that Mr Brown had phoned him in an "unbalanced" state of mind and declared war on his media empire after the Sun newspaper had switched its support from Labour to the Conservatives in 2009.The News Corp boss told the inquiry in April that Mr Brown had phoned him in an "unbalanced" state of mind and declared war on his media empire after the Sun newspaper had switched its support from Labour to the Conservatives in 2009.
It is no surprise to see the prime minister called before Lord Justice Leveson. An inquiry examining the relationship between the press and politicians was never going to overlook Downing Street.It is no surprise to see the prime minister called before Lord Justice Leveson. An inquiry examining the relationship between the press and politicians was never going to overlook Downing Street.
But evidence presented here has already resulted in plenty of unintended consequences for ministers.But evidence presented here has already resulted in plenty of unintended consequences for ministers.
When he announced the inquiry just under a year ago, David Cameron could not have known a News Corporation lobbyist's texts and emails would be made public.When he announced the inquiry just under a year ago, David Cameron could not have known a News Corporation lobbyist's texts and emails would be made public.
He could not have known they would leave Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt fighting for his job.He could not have known they would leave Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt fighting for his job.
The PM and the chancellor might have anticipated detailed questions about Andy Coulson's appointment as Conservative director of communications, but possibly not the decision to give Mr Hunt responsibility for the BSkyB bid.The PM and the chancellor might have anticipated detailed questions about Andy Coulson's appointment as Conservative director of communications, but possibly not the decision to give Mr Hunt responsibility for the BSkyB bid.
Plenty of politicians have already emerged from a Leveson grilling relatively unscathed, but the men from Downing Street will have to perform convincingly and hope there are no more surprise revelations in Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice.Plenty of politicians have already emerged from a Leveson grilling relatively unscathed, but the men from Downing Street will have to perform convincingly and hope there are no more surprise revelations in Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice.
The former PM later denied having made such a threat.The former PM later denied having made such a threat.
The Sun's 2006 story about Mr Brown's son Fraser having cystic fibrosis may also be discussed.The Sun's 2006 story about Mr Brown's son Fraser having cystic fibrosis may also be discussed.
The paper's then editor Rebekah Brooks has told the Leveson Inquiry she had the express permission of the Browns to run the story, but they have said that was "untrue".The paper's then editor Rebekah Brooks has told the Leveson Inquiry she had the express permission of the Browns to run the story, but they have said that was "untrue".
The chancellor, meanwhile, will be asked about the hiring of Mr Coulson in 2007 after he quit the News of the World in the wake of the conviction of the paper's royal editor for phone hacking.The chancellor, meanwhile, will be asked about the hiring of Mr Coulson in 2007 after he quit the News of the World in the wake of the conviction of the paper's royal editor for phone hacking.
Mr Coulson has told the inquiry Mr Osborne played a key role in his recruitment as Conservative communications chief, but rejected suggestions he was chosen solely for his ties to News International.Mr Coulson has told the inquiry Mr Osborne played a key role in his recruitment as Conservative communications chief, but rejected suggestions he was chosen solely for his ties to News International.
The last witness to appear before Mr Brown was Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who was quizzed for six hours about his handling of the bid by News Corp - the parent company of News International - to take full control of satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
Mr Osborne will also be asked about his communications with Mr Hunt on the day the culture secretary was handed responsibility for the BSkyB bid.Mr Osborne will also be asked about his communications with Mr Hunt on the day the culture secretary was handed responsibility for the BSkyB bid.
His closeness to Ms Brooks - he invited her to his official residence, Dorneywood, when News Corp's bid was active - is also likely to be raised.His closeness to Ms Brooks - he invited her to his official residence, Dorneywood, when News Corp's bid was active - is also likely to be raised.
Labour leader Ed Miliband, former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major and Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman will give evidence to the inquiry at London's Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday.Labour leader Ed Miliband, former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major and Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman will give evidence to the inquiry at London's Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond will appear on Wednesday, while Mr Cameron will be the sole witness on Thursday.Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond will appear on Wednesday, while Mr Cameron will be the sole witness on Thursday.