This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18475431#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Leveson Inquiry: Judge complained about Michael Gove | Leveson Inquiry: Judge complained about Michael Gove |
(1 day later) | |
Lord Justice Leveson complained to the UK's top civil servant after a cabinet minister raised concerns about his inquiry into the press, it has emerged. | Lord Justice Leveson complained to the UK's top civil servant after a cabinet minister raised concerns about his inquiry into the press, it has emerged. |
Education Secretary Michael Gove said in February that the debate around the hearings could erode freedom of speech. | Education Secretary Michael Gove said in February that the debate around the hearings could erode freedom of speech. |
That prompted the judge to contact Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood. | That prompted the judge to contact Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood. |
Lord Justice Leveson is understood to have been worried that if Mr Gove was speaking for the whole cabinet it could undermine his inquiry. | Lord Justice Leveson is understood to have been worried that if Mr Gove was speaking for the whole cabinet it could undermine his inquiry. |
Sharp exchanges | Sharp exchanges |
Mr Gove told a press gallery lunch at Westminster that there was "a chilling atmosphere towards freedom of expression which emanates from the debate around Leveson". | Mr Gove told a press gallery lunch at Westminster that there was "a chilling atmosphere towards freedom of expression which emanates from the debate around Leveson". |
There were sharp exchanges between Lord Justice Leveson and Mr Gove when he subsequently gave his evidence to the inquiry in May. | There were sharp exchanges between Lord Justice Leveson and Mr Gove when he subsequently gave his evidence to the inquiry in May. |
Lord Justice Leveson's concern was based around the hearings into the culture, practices and ethics of the press being a public inquiry that had been set up by the government, at taxpayers' expense. | |
However, the BBC understands that a headline in the Mail On Sunday - "Leveson's 'threat to quit' over meddling minister" - is not accurate. | However, the BBC understands that a headline in the Mail On Sunday - "Leveson's 'threat to quit' over meddling minister" - is not accurate. |
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said that at no point did Lord Justice Leveson threaten to resign. | BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said that at no point did Lord Justice Leveson threaten to resign. |
Stress independence | Stress independence |
When Mr Gove appeared in front of the inquiry at the end of May his exchanges with Lord Justice Leveson were tense. | When Mr Gove appeared in front of the inquiry at the end of May his exchanges with Lord Justice Leveson were tense. |
At one point, the inquiry chairman said bluntly: "Mr Gove, I don't need to be told about the importance of free speech, I really don't." | At one point, the inquiry chairman said bluntly: "Mr Gove, I don't need to be told about the importance of free speech, I really don't." |
A source close to Mr Gove said the education secretary had nothing to say about the story, said our correspondent. | A source close to Mr Gove said the education secretary had nothing to say about the story, said our correspondent. |
Other sources emphasised that Lord Justice Leveson had always wanted to stress his independence from government, he added. | Other sources emphasised that Lord Justice Leveson had always wanted to stress his independence from government, he added. |
They pointed to his refusal to allow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt to appear before the inquiry earlier than originally scheduled. | They pointed to his refusal to allow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt to appear before the inquiry earlier than originally scheduled. |
This was when Mr Hunt faced revelations relating to his role in News Corporation's bid for BSkyB. | This was when Mr Hunt faced revelations relating to his role in News Corporation's bid for BSkyB. |
Previous version
1
Next version