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BSkyB bid row: Lib Dems to abstain in Commons vote on Jeremy Hunt BSkyB bid row: Lib Dems to abstain in Commons vote on Jeremy Hunt
(about 1 hour later)
Lib Dem MPs are to abstain in a Commons vote on Wednesday calling for an investigation into whether Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has broken the ministerial code of conduct.Lib Dem MPs are to abstain in a Commons vote on Wednesday calling for an investigation into whether Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has broken the ministerial code of conduct.
Labour want his handling of News Corp's BSkyB bid examined by David Cameron's adviser on ministers interests. Labour want his handling of News Corp's BSkyB bid examined by David Cameron's adviser on ministerial interests.
The BBC's Nick Robinson said Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg had told a meeting of his MPs and peers not to "support the Tories on this one" and "to stay away".The BBC's Nick Robinson said Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg had told a meeting of his MPs and peers not to "support the Tories on this one" and "to stay away".
Mr Cameron has fully backed Mr Hunt.Mr Cameron has fully backed Mr Hunt.
The prime minister gave his full support to Mr Hunt just minutes after he gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry on press standards last month. The outcome of Wednesday's vote - on an opposition motion - will not be binding on the government and even if all 57 Lib Dem MP withhold their support by abstaining, the vote is still likely to go the government's way.
In his evidence, the culture secretary admitted he was sympathetic towards News Corp's bid to take full control of Sky but said he acted impartially once he was given responsibility for it at the end of 2010. However, our political editor said it would cause significant tension within the coalition.
The prime minister gave his backing to Mr Hunt just minutes after the culture secretary gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry on press standards last month, a move that is believed to have angered many Lib Dems.
In his evidence, Mr Hunt admitted he was sympathetic towards News Corp's bid to take full control of Sky but said he acted impartially once he was given responsibility for it at the end of 2010.
Special adviserSpecial adviser
But Labour is demanding an investigation into whether the culture secretary breached the code by failing to give "accurate and truthful information to Parliament" over his dealings with News Corp at the time and by failing to "take responsibility" for his special adviser Adam Smith. Labour is demanding an investigation into whether the culture secretary breached the ministerial code by failing to give "accurate and truthful information to Parliament" over his dealings with News Corp at the time and by failing to "take responsibility" for his special adviser Adam Smith.
Mr Smith resigned after admitting the number and tone of messages he exchanged with News Corp lobbyist Frederic Michel about the Sky bid had been inappropriate.Mr Smith resigned after admitting the number and tone of messages he exchanged with News Corp lobbyist Frederic Michel about the Sky bid had been inappropriate.
Labour is pressing for Sir Alex Allan, No 10's adviser on ministers' interests, to examine Mr Hunt's conduct.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that a number of Lib Dem MPs had wanted to vote with Labour, and against Mr Hunt, believing that Mr Cameron's immediate backing for his cabinet colleague was misplaced and an independent investigation was needed. Labour is pressing for Sir Alex Allan, No 10's adviser on ministers' interests, to examine Mr Hunt's conduct, and have forced a Commons debate on the issue.
He said he understood that the party leadership argued that this would put them in an impossible position with their Conservative coalition partners and recommended that their MPs abstain instead. A number of Lib Dem MPs had wanted to vote with Labour and against Mr Hunt, Nick Robinson said, as they believed Mr Cameron's backing for his cabinet colleague after his Leveson appearance was too hasty and an independent investigation was needed.
However, he said the decision by Lib Dems to withdraw their support for Mr Hunt was a implicit criticism of the prime minister's judgement on the culture secretary's future and would cause significant tension within the coalition. He said he understood that the party leadership argued at a meeting on Tuesday that this would put them in an impossible position with their Conservative coalition partners and recommended that their MPs abstain instead.
Coalition tensions
But the decision by Lib Dems to withdraw their support for Mr Hunt was a implicit criticism of the prime minister's judgement on Mr Hunt's future, he added.
It will be only the second time that the Lib Dem leadership have instructed their MPs to not vote with their Conservative partners on an opposition motion since the coalition was formed.
Reacting to the news, Conservative International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said he respected the Lib Dems' decision and said it was "no surprise".
"In the circumstances, they feel very strongly about the Murdochs and about BSkyB," he told the BBC, adding that Labour's motion was a "party political" move and he was "absolutely convinced" that Mr Hunt had not broken the ministerial code.
Hours before Wednesday's debate, Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will be giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry at which he will assert his party's independence from the Murdochs.Hours before Wednesday's debate, Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will be giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry at which he will assert his party's independence from the Murdochs.
David Cameron, who has refused to ask Sir Alex to investigate further, will himself be cross-examined about how he handled the BSkyB bid and allegations against Mr Hunt on Thursday.David Cameron, who has refused to ask Sir Alex to investigate further, will himself be cross-examined about how he handled the BSkyB bid and allegations against Mr Hunt on Thursday.
The inquiry heard that Mr Hunt congratulated James Murdoch on the progress of News Corp's bid - just hours before he was given the power to decide on it - but the culture secretary insisted he had acted impartially and sought independent advice at every stage.The inquiry heard that Mr Hunt congratulated James Murdoch on the progress of News Corp's bid - just hours before he was given the power to decide on it - but the culture secretary insisted he had acted impartially and sought independent advice at every stage.
Mr Hunt assumed quasi-judicial powers for the bid after Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable was stripped of responsibility, having been secretly recorded saying he had "declared war" on the Murdochs' business interests.