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David Cameron at the Leveson inquiry - live David Cameron at the Leveson inquiry - live
(39 minutes later)
11.28am: Here is a brief summary of this morning's hearing so far:
• Cameron denied any "overt or covert" deals for the support of a newspaper.
• Cameron met Rebekah Brooks 19 times, James Murdoch 15 times and Rupert Murdoch 10 times while in opposition, the inquiry heard.
• Cameron listed journalists who were close friends, including the Times's Daniel Finkelstein and Sarah Vine, the wife of education secretary Michael Gove.
• ASun journalist and a prison officer are among three people arrested by Scotland Yard in investigation into payments to police and public officials.
• The CPS has said it would not be in the public interest to prosecute Guardian journalist David Leigh over comments made about phone hacking.
11.26am: The Guardian's John Plunkett has just sent us this extract from Cameron's witness statement:
At the time I became leader of the Conservative party I did not have widespread support in the media. I wanted to meet media figures (not just Rupert Murdoch) to make sure the Conservative party got a fairhearing in the press.
I also considered it was important to have good relations with Rupert Murdoch becuase at this time his newspapers were supporting the Labour government and I wanted to raise awareness of what I perceived to be the faults in that administration and in their policies. One way of doing this was via the media.
I did hope that in time we would have the support of News International's papers, after all these newspapers fundamentally shared the same views on society and the free market as the Conservative party.
11.21am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:
Cameron's meeting schedule left out Rupert Murdoch who was also at Santorini dinner on August 16 2008 w Elisabeth, Freud + Brooks.
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 14, 2012
11.20am: The inquiry is now taking a short break.
11.19am: Cameron is asked about his Santorini visit with Matthew Freud, Rebekah Brooks and the Murdochs.
"My memory was that this was drinks, then a dinner, but the dinner was everyone that was there … Rupert Murdoch was there, yes," Cameron says.
11.18am: While in opposition, Cameron met Rupert Murdoch 10 times, James Murdoch 15 times and Rebekah Brooks 19 times, the inquiry hears.
Cameron says that might not cover all his interactions, because his official diary would not include meetings on weekends.
11.17am: Jay says Cameron devoted a "very significant amount of time to media engagement" in his first two years in office, from 2005 to 2007.
Cameron says entering No 10 it "felt like a newsroom".
11.16am: Stewart Purvis, professor of television at London's City University and former ITN executive, has just tweeted:
#Leveson This is so relaxed when do we get to hear DC's choice of 8 records
— Stewart Purvis (@StewartPurvis) June 14, 2012
11.12am: Leveson refers to evidence from Alastair Campbell, who said New Labour was mistaken to take its approach to the press in opposition into No 10 in 1997.
Cameron suggests he has an idea, making the obvious point that the party goes from talking about policies to creating them.
11.11am: Jay asks whether Cameron changed his approach to the media in 2007.
Cameron says he did "progressively realise, over 2006 and 2007, that it's very difficult if you don't have what I would call the different bits of the Conservative family behind you … you also need those bits of the Conservative press that should be behind you".
He concedes that he was "struggling a bit" to get his message across to the Tory press in 2006 and 2007, so redoubled his efforts to win their backing.
11.06am: Cameron points out he won the leadership of the Tory party without the backing of newspapers.
TV helped the future prime minister get his point across, he says.
11.04am: Cameron is asked about the evidence from John Major about his meeting with Rupert Murdoch in February 1997. Major told the inquiry that Murdoch said his newspapers would not support the Tory government if it did not change its policy on Europe.
Cameron he has not had a conversation "of that nature" but media executives will make their feelings known.
"You have very robust debates about policy areas where you don't agree," he adds.
Sun journalists were keen for the paper to change its stance because they felt the title was out of tune with its readers, Cameron tells the inquiry.
11.03am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:
Cameron's hack friends - danny finkelstein, alice thomson, sarah vine, times; xan smiley chris lockwood, economist, robert hardman,mail
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 14, 2012
11.01am: In his witness statement, Cameron lists a small number of journalists who are close friends. He says he will inevitably forget to tell his office of all interactions with these friends, adding:
You can't unmake the friendships that you have; some of them I've known for 20 to 30 years.
11.00am: Cameron suggests that if commercial interests come up in media meetings then the revelant minister should tell their private secretary.
10.59am: The Guardian's Patrick Wintour has just tweeted:
"If it is obvious that the proprietor has a commercial interest to raise in meeting with politician, a note should be taken." DC
— Patrick Wintour (@patrickwintour) June 14, 2012
10.58am: Cameron says the idea of written notes of every media interaction would be overly bureaucratic.
10.57am: The inquiry turns to Cameron's meetings with media executives before he entered No 10.
Cameron says that his yearly strategy will involve policy decisions, but it follows that his team will plan which are the best outlets for these policies.
"A huge amount of time when I became leader of the Conservative party was spent working out how to get our message across on television," Cameron says. He repeats his belief that TV is the most important medium, either seeking to distract or play down his meetings with Britain's biggest national newspaper group.
10.55am: Cameron says:
We should have a vigorous press. They should give us a good going over.
However, he adds that it is frustrating to have your motives endlessly questioned.
10.55am: "The volume knob has sometimes been turned really high in our press," Cameron says, riffing on the Leveson's inquiry's likening of the press to a megaphone. "Sometimes it feels it has been turned unnecessarily high".
10.54am: The Guardian's Patrick Wintour has just tweeted:
Special advisers should work for the whole government and not their individual ministers_ first story after wafflathon
— Patrick Wintour (@patrickwintour) June 14, 2012
10.52am: There are responsible ways of handling media relations, but briefing against people is one of the "dreadful things" that have crept into play on both sides of the House of Commons, Cameron says.
10.49am: Cameron adds:10.49am: Cameron adds:
Of course I wanted to win over newspapers … but I didn't do it on the basis of saying overtly or covertly that 'your support will give you a better [position] on this policy or that policy'.Of course I wanted to win over newspapers … but I didn't do it on the basis of saying overtly or covertly that 'your support will give you a better [position] on this policy or that policy'.
10.47am: Cameron is asked about explicit and implied deals.10.47am: Cameron is asked about explicit and implied deals.
I think the idea of overt deals is nonsense … I also don't believe in this theory there was a nod and a wink and some sort of agreement.I think the idea of overt deals is nonsense … I also don't believe in this theory there was a nod and a wink and some sort of agreement.
10.46am: Cameron says explicitly for the first time at this inquiry that he has "never traded a policy" in return for the support of a media outlet.10.46am: Cameron says explicitly for the first time at this inquiry that he has "never traded a policy" in return for the support of a media outlet.
10.45am: Cameron says: "I'm not trying to blame the whole thing on New Labour, but I think it's been a developing story."10.45am: Cameron says: "I'm not trying to blame the whole thing on New Labour, but I think it's been a developing story."
He adds:
This is a cathartic moment, a chance to reset relations between press, politicians and the police.
10.44am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:10.44am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:
Essentially Cameron is rejecting Blair's "feral beasts" analysis as unhelpful when it comes to reform. So what next?Essentially Cameron is rejecting Blair's "feral beasts" analysis as unhelpful when it comes to reform. So what next?
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 14, 2012— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 14, 2012
10.42am: Cameron says in an ideal world newspaper front pages would only report what happened in the world yesterday, but adds that cannot be done.10.42am: Cameron says in an ideal world newspaper front pages would only report what happened in the world yesterday, but adds that cannot be done.
10.41am: Veteran commentator and Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff has just tweeted:10.41am: Veteran commentator and Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff has just tweeted:
So Cameron position is pay no mind to newspapers, television is really powerful...So Cameron position is pay no mind to newspapers, television is really powerful...
— Michael Wolff (@MichaelWolffNYC) June 14, 2012— Michael Wolff (@MichaelWolffNYC) June 14, 2012
10.40am: "With all the focus on meetings with newspaper groups, a big big focus has been on television and I hope that comes across in what I say," Cameron says.10.40am: "With all the focus on meetings with newspaper groups, a big big focus has been on television and I hope that comes across in what I say," Cameron says.
He tells the inquiry that political parties will devote more time to the 6pm TV news bulletins, rather than coverage in a particular newspaper.He tells the inquiry that political parties will devote more time to the 6pm TV news bulletins, rather than coverage in a particular newspaper.
10.40am: Cameron says it is a "forlorn hope" that it will ever be possible to separate fact and comment in newspapers.10.40am: Cameron says it is a "forlorn hope" that it will ever be possible to separate fact and comment in newspapers.
10.38am: The Guardian journalist David Leigh will not face charges over an article he wrote in relation to phone hacking in 2006.10.38am: The Guardian journalist David Leigh will not face charges over an article he wrote in relation to phone hacking in 2006.
The CPS said this morning in a statement:The CPS said this morning in a statement:
As we said on 18 April, the CPS was passed a file relating to one journalist with relation to alleged offences under RIPA. The journalist in question is David Leigh of the Guardian and the request for advice related to an article he wrote on 4 December 2006 and the evidence he gave to the Leveson inquiry on that subject.As we said on 18 April, the CPS was passed a file relating to one journalist with relation to alleged offences under RIPA. The journalist in question is David Leigh of the Guardian and the request for advice related to an article he wrote on 4 December 2006 and the evidence he gave to the Leveson inquiry on that subject.
We have now considered this file and, although the investigation is not complete, the view has been taken that this is one of those rare cases in which it is clear that, prior to the collection and consideration of all the evidence, the public interest does not require a prosecution. The police have been advised accordingly. This advice was given under paragraph 4.2 of the code for crown prosecutors and having considered the interim guidelines on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media. In summary, the guidelines say that prosecutors should consider whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality. If the answer is yes, it is less likely that a prosecution is required in the public interest.We have now considered this file and, although the investigation is not complete, the view has been taken that this is one of those rare cases in which it is clear that, prior to the collection and consideration of all the evidence, the public interest does not require a prosecution. The police have been advised accordingly. This advice was given under paragraph 4.2 of the code for crown prosecutors and having considered the interim guidelines on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media. In summary, the guidelines say that prosecutors should consider whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality. If the answer is yes, it is less likely that a prosecution is required in the public interest.
Prosecutors are only able to take such a decision when they are satisfied that the broad extent of the alleged criminality has been determined and that they are able to make a fully informed assessment of the public interest.Prosecutors are only able to take such a decision when they are satisfied that the broad extent of the alleged criminality has been determined and that they are able to make a fully informed assessment of the public interest.
This is not a charging decision based on a review of a full file of evidence, but is advice to the police before their investigation is complete. Whilst it is a matter for the police whether to continue any investigation, regardless of advice received, we understand the decision has been taken that no further action will be taken.This is not a charging decision based on a review of a full file of evidence, but is advice to the police before their investigation is complete. Whilst it is a matter for the police whether to continue any investigation, regardless of advice received, we understand the decision has been taken that no further action will be taken.
10.32am: Cameron is asked what he thought about Blair's 2007 "feral beasts" speech on the media.10.32am: Cameron is asked what he thought about Blair's 2007 "feral beasts" speech on the media.
He says he has a "horrible feeling" that Blair's speech was not given much backing, but cannot remember what he said at the time.He says he has a "horrible feeling" that Blair's speech was not given much backing, but cannot remember what he said at the time.
"OK," Jay says, moving Cameron swiftly onto another topic. The inquiry counsel is keeping the prime minister on his toes in these early exchanges."OK," Jay says, moving Cameron swiftly onto another topic. The inquiry counsel is keeping the prime minister on his toes in these early exchanges.
10.31am: Cameron describes Tony Blair's admission that there was a problem with the press among many more pressing issues as "an encapsulation of my risk No 1".10.31am: Cameron describes Tony Blair's admission that there was a problem with the press among many more pressing issues as "an encapsulation of my risk No 1".
In his witness statement, he says it is a regret that in opposition the Tories did devote enough attention to the information commissioner's Operation Motorman reports in 2006.In his witness statement, he says it is a regret that in opposition the Tories did devote enough attention to the information commissioner's Operation Motorman reports in 2006.
10.26am: Cameron adds:10.26am: Cameron adds:
I don't think the regulatory system we have at the moment works, and so we need to improve it.I don't think the regulatory system we have at the moment works, and so we need to improve it.
10.25am: Leveson says he struggles to see how regulation will cleanse the relationship between some politicians and the press.10.25am: Leveson says he struggles to see how regulation will cleanse the relationship between some politicians and the press.
"It's a culture thing, it seems to me," the judge adds."It's a culture thing, it seems to me," the judge adds.
Cameron counters that the culture has led to an impasse where regulation is glossed over.Cameron counters that the culture has led to an impasse where regulation is glossed over.
10.23am: Cameron accepts that politicians and the press have grown too close in the past two decades.10.23am: Cameron accepts that politicians and the press have grown too close in the past two decades.
I think this relationship has been gone wrong for … it's never been perfect, there's always been problems. I think in the last 20 years the relationship has not been right, I think it has been too close. I think we need to get it on a better footing.I think this relationship has been gone wrong for … it's never been perfect, there's always been problems. I think in the last 20 years the relationship has not been right, I think it has been too close. I think we need to get it on a better footing.
10.22am: News International has confirmed that a journalist at the Sun was one of the three people arrested as part of the Operation Elveden investigation this morning.10.22am: News International has confirmed that a journalist at the Sun was one of the three people arrested as part of the Operation Elveden investigation this morning.
10.20am: Cameron describes the relationship between politicians and the press as "not a particularly trusting relationship at the minute", due to the MPs' expenses scandal and phone hacking.10.20am: Cameron describes the relationship between politicians and the press as "not a particularly trusting relationship at the minute", due to the MPs' expenses scandal and phone hacking.
It has "become a bad relationship", he says. "Respect has to be earned on both sides."It has "become a bad relationship", he says. "Respect has to be earned on both sides."
10.19am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:10.19am: The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:
Cameron looking less confident than I expected, early motherhood observations about importance of TV as a medium.Cameron looking less confident than I expected, early motherhood observations about importance of TV as a medium.
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 14, 2012— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 14, 2012
10.18am: Cameron adds "I think it's good that these campaigns are put forward because it's part of the democratic challenge," referring to the News of the World's "Sarah's law" campaign to name sex offenders as "controversial" but an important part of public debate.10.18am: Cameron adds "I think it's good that these campaigns are put forward because it's part of the democratic challenge," referring to the News of the World's "Sarah's law" campaign to name sex offenders as "controversial" but an important part of public debate.
For instance the 'Sarah's Law' campaign there were quite a lot of people who were quite condescending ... and actually the public were quite worried about this.For instance the 'Sarah's Law' campaign there were quite a lot of people who were quite condescending ... and actually the public were quite worried about this.
10.17am: Cameron is asked about newspaper campaigns. Some can be "extraordinarily important and poweful", he says, and some can be "just about what the editor cares about". It is up to politicians to judge what to take issue with or what to go along with.10.17am: Cameron is asked about newspaper campaigns. Some can be "extraordinarily important and poweful", he says, and some can be "just about what the editor cares about". It is up to politicians to judge what to take issue with or what to go along with.
10.15am: Three people gave been arrested by detectives from the Met's Operation Elveden investigation into alleged illegal payments by journalists to police and other public officials. Jason Deans reports:10.15am: Three people gave been arrested by detectives from the Met's Operation Elveden investigation into alleged illegal payments by journalists to police and other public officials. Jason Deans reports:
Scotland Yard detectives investigating alleged illegal payments by journalists to police and other public officials have made three further arrests, including a former prison officer.Scotland Yard detectives investigating alleged illegal payments by journalists to police and other public officials have made three further arrests, including a former prison officer.
Officers from Operation Elveden, the Metropolitan police investigation into the alleged illegal payments, arrested two men and a woman at about 6am on Thursday morning in Corby and Croydon. This takes the total number of arrests by Operation Elveden to 33.Officers from Operation Elveden, the Metropolitan police investigation into the alleged illegal payments, arrested two men and a woman at about 6am on Thursday morning in Corby and Croydon. This takes the total number of arrests by Operation Elveden to 33.
The former prison officer, a 40-year-old-man, was arrested at his home in Corby, Northamptonshire, on suspicion of corruption, misconduct in a public office and money laundering.The former prison officer, a 40-year-old-man, was arrested at his home in Corby, Northamptonshire, on suspicion of corruption, misconduct in a public office and money laundering.
A 37-year-old woman was also arrested at home in Corby, on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office and money laundering. Both are being questioned at a police station in Northamptonshire.A 37-year-old woman was also arrested at home in Corby, on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office and money laundering. Both are being questioned at a police station in Northamptonshire.
The third arrest on Thursday was of a 31-year-old man at his home in Croydon on suspicion of conspiracy to corrupt and conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office.The third arrest on Thursday was of a 31-year-old man at his home in Croydon on suspicion of conspiracy to corrupt and conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office.
"Officers investigating allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials have arrested two men and one woman this morning at three separate addresses," Scotland Yard said in a statement."Officers investigating allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials have arrested two men and one woman this morning at three separate addresses," Scotland Yard said in a statement.
"The arrests were made at approximately 0600 hours by officers from Operation Elveden which is being supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and is being run in conjunction with Operation Weeting, the MPS inquiry into the phone-hacking of voicemail boxes."The arrests were made at approximately 0600 hours by officers from Operation Elveden which is being supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and is being run in conjunction with Operation Weeting, the MPS inquiry into the phone-hacking of voicemail boxes.
"Today's arrests are the result of information provided to police by News Corporation's Management Standards Committee. They relate to suspected payments to a public official and are not about seeking journalists to reveal confidential sources in relation to information that has been obtained legitimately.""Today's arrests are the result of information provided to police by News Corporation's Management Standards Committee. They relate to suspected payments to a public official and are not about seeking journalists to reveal confidential sources in relation to information that has been obtained legitimately."
10.14am: Newspapers have been put in a difficult position by 24-hour news channels because the news has broken, Cameron says. Newspapers are then forced to find a new angle, which is as "change for the worse" sometimes, he adds.10.14am: Newspapers have been put in a difficult position by 24-hour news channels because the news has broken, Cameron says. Newspapers are then forced to find a new angle, which is as "change for the worse" sometimes, he adds.
"What it has lent me towards is spending quite a lot of focus on broadcasting," Cameron says, adding that TV is an "incredibly powerful" medium in communicating with the public."What it has lent me towards is spending quite a lot of focus on broadcasting," Cameron says, adding that TV is an "incredibly powerful" medium in communicating with the public.
10.11am: In his witness statement, Cameron says communication with the public through journalists is a "very big part of communication and so relationships [with journalists] are important".10.11am: In his witness statement, Cameron says communication with the public through journalists is a "very big part of communication and so relationships [with journalists] are important".
He adds that "off the record" conversations are also important.He adds that "off the record" conversations are also important.
10.09am: Cameron says his knowledge of the media is most detailed in the television sector, and he learned a lot at Carlton.10.09am: Cameron says his knowledge of the media is most detailed in the television sector, and he learned a lot at Carlton.
A lot of the views about media, media policy, media regulation, the BBC … Carlton was quite a formative place and I formed a lot of views then that I still hold today.A lot of the views about media, media policy, media regulation, the BBC … Carlton was quite a formative place and I formed a lot of views then that I still hold today.
10.08am: Jay asks about Cameron's time in the media, as director of corporate affairs at ITV company Carlton, and whether it it this that brought his first relationships with journalists.10.08am: Jay asks about Cameron's time in the media, as director of corporate affairs at ITV company Carlton, and whether it it this that brought his first relationships with journalists.
You can read more background on the time Cameron spent in PR here.You can read more background on the time Cameron spent in PR here.
Cameron says his relationship with political journalists first formed when he was a special adviser. "Some of those journalists are still around today," he says.Cameron says his relationship with political journalists first formed when he was a special adviser. "Some of those journalists are still around today," he says.
10.07am: Cameron is asked about his political career before 1991. He was a special adviser in the home office.10.07am: Cameron is asked about his political career before 1991. He was a special adviser in the home office.
Jay asks whether Cameron ever expressed an opinion he knew was not held by the minister in charge.Jay asks whether Cameron ever expressed an opinion he knew was not held by the minister in charge.
Cameron says his role was to be "a mouthpiece" and "a sponge" for the minister, but was fairly conventional.Cameron says his role was to be "a mouthpiece" and "a sponge" for the minister, but was fairly conventional.
10.06am: Cameron has brought with him an 84-page witness statement.10.06am: Cameron has brought with him an 84-page witness statement.
Lord Justice Leveson thanks him for his efforts.Lord Justice Leveson thanks him for his efforts.
10.05am: The inquiry begins. David Cameron is sworn in under his full name, David William Donald Cameron, and takes the witness stand.10.05am: The inquiry begins. David Cameron is sworn in under his full name, David William Donald Cameron, and takes the witness stand.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is leading the questioning.Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is leading the questioning.
9.53am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.53am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Prime minister David Cameron will face six hours of questions today as is asked to explain his relations with Rupert Murdoch's newspaper empire and its executives.Prime minister David Cameron will face six hours of questions today as is asked to explain his relations with Rupert Murdoch's newspaper empire and its executives.
Cameron will face the closest scrutiny yet of his relationship with Rebekah Brooks, the former News International chief executive, and Andy Coulson, the ex-News of the World editor who he hired as his communications director despite mounting allegations over phone hacking.Cameron will face the closest scrutiny yet of his relationship with Rebekah Brooks, the former News International chief executive, and Andy Coulson, the ex-News of the World editor who he hired as his communications director despite mounting allegations over phone hacking.
Cameron will also be pressed on his handling of News Corporation's aborted £8bn bid for BSkyB, and why he gave oversight of the bid to Jeremy Hunt when he knew the culture secretary was privately in support of the controversial takeover.Cameron will also be pressed on his handling of News Corporation's aborted £8bn bid for BSkyB, and why he gave oversight of the bid to Jeremy Hunt when he knew the culture secretary was privately in support of the controversial takeover.
The questioning of Cameron represents a key juncture for the inquiry into press standards. It began in November last year with victims of press intrusion, including the parents of Milly Dowler and of Madeline McCann, and ends with the serving prime minister.The questioning of Cameron represents a key juncture for the inquiry into press standards. It began in November last year with victims of press intrusion, including the parents of Milly Dowler and of Madeline McCann, and ends with the serving prime minister.
Cameron is facing questions about his judgment in an number of areas related to the phone hacking scandal. He will be asked to explain why he only once reputedly asked for assurances over Coulson, and why he infamously sent Brooks text messages ending in "LOL", which he believed meant lots of love.Cameron is facing questions about his judgment in an number of areas related to the phone hacking scandal. He will be asked to explain why he only once reputedly asked for assurances over Coulson, and why he infamously sent Brooks text messages ending in "LOL", which he believed meant lots of love.
Robert Jay QC, lead counsel to the inquiry, is likely to go into detail about Cameron's many meetings with Murdoch's executives, including private dinners with the Brooks' late in 2010.Robert Jay QC, lead counsel to the inquiry, is likely to go into detail about Cameron's many meetings with Murdoch's executives, including private dinners with the Brooks' late in 2010.