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Leveson inquiry: Giles Crown, Tim Colbourne, Norman Lamb - live Leveson inquiry: Giles Crown, Tim Colbourne, Norman Lamb - live
(40 minutes later)
12.18pm: Bowles later shut down his Facebook page after he found that Mail Online had published the pictures, which he says were of a "private, personal and family nature".
This was the "final straw", Crown says. "He was very distressed at this point."
12.17pm: Crown says that pictures used by Mail Online could only have come from Edward Bowles's Facebook page, which he is certain had maximum privacy settings.
12.13pm: Patry Hoskins turns to the Daily Mail.
On 16 March 2012 the Daily Mail published an article in print and online about Sebastian's death.
Mail Online published the so-called "Helena photograph" as well as family photographs and the picture of Sebastian used by the Sun, the inquiry hears.
12.12pm: A Sun journalist, Caroline Grant, later went to the Bowles family home, the inquiry hears. She was polite and "somewhat apologetic", Patry Hoskins says, reading from Crown's witness statement. She passed on her contact details via the local police.
12.11pm: The Sun was asked by a representative of the Bowles family not to publish a photograph of Sebastian that had appeared online, the inquiry hears.
It was made clear that publishing the picture in the Sun was quite different from it appearing online.
The Sun ran the picture of Sebastian on its front page the following day, Patry Hoskins says.
12.07pm: The Sun did not publish the Helena photograph or pictures taken from a Facebook profile, Patry Hoskins says.
Crown says the parents of Sebastian were distressed after the website where a picture and quotes had been taken from was shut down because it was the "only available record of Sebastian's final days and hours".
The parents later retrieved the information, he adds.
12.05pm: Crown says the Sun used a photograph extract from a blogpost by Sebastian on a website set up for the trip.
He adds that there was no password to shield the website from the public, but adds: "It was clearly a website that was intended for parents and not for the generall public."
12.05pm: Crown says three newspapers published an article about Sebastian's death because he was the only British victim. The Sun published a story on the front-page with a photograph of Sebastian.
12.05pm: Police had to clear photographers away from outside the home of the bereaved family, Crown says.
11.59am: Crown says this photograph is of a young girl crying, carrying flowers and with Edward Bowles's hand on her head. Photographers were banned from the property and told not to come within 20 metres of the hotel where bereaved families were staying.
He says it is clear that the photograph was taken from a distance and without the permission of those in the picture.
"It is clear that the people in the photograph have no knowledge that they are being photographed," he adds.
11.58am: The Bowles family was informed at lunchtime on 14 March 2012 that Sebastian had not survived the crash, the inquiry hears. They were soon taken to the scene of the crash where a photograph, called the "Helena photograph", was taken on private property.
11.54am: Giles Crown, the solicitor for the family of Sebastian Bowles, the British schoolboy who was killed in a Swiss coach crash in March, is the next witness.
He will be questioned by Carine Patry Hoskins, counsel to the inquiry.
11.53am: Colbourne has finished his evidence.
11.53am: Colbourne says that he scrupulously records "action points" in his notes and there were none taken from his meeting with Michel.
11.52am: The Guardian's Lisa O'Carroll has just tweeted:
Colbourne says News corp lobbyist Fred Michel's email note of a meeting re getting labour on side for Sky bid was made up #leveson
— lisa o'carroll (@lisaocarroll) June 26, 2012
11.46am: Colbourne says he has no recollection of a discussion of the importance of getting Labour to back the bid, as was later relayed in a memo from Michel to James Murdoch.
Colbourne says he "completely rejects" the suggestion he was offering strategic advice to Michel.
In this case I suspect a passing reference has been overinterpreted and overexaggerated in Mr Michel's record … and, as I say, I have no specific recollection of it being discussed.
11.44am: Colbourne says he was not entirely surprised that Michel tried to bend his ear on BSkyB. Michel asked if he was aware of the status of the bid inside government. Colbourne says he was "pretty sketchy" about the process.
11.42am: Colbourne says he would not have agreed to meet Michel if the BSkyB bid was on the agenda.
He agreed to see the News Corp lobbyist at a meeting in December 2010.
11.40am: Michel was inquiring on 17 November 2010 about the Hargreaves review of copyright and the Digital Economy Act.
11.40am: Jay asks about an email received by Colbourne from Fred Michel, the News Corp lobbyist. It came "out of the blue", says Colbourne.
11.39am: Clegg appointed Colbourne to the special adviser post in August 2010. In December 2010 he was responsible for four government ministries, including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.11.39am: Clegg appointed Colbourne to the special adviser post in August 2010. In December 2010 he was responsible for four government ministries, including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
11.38am: Tim Colbourne, the special adviser to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, is the second witness of the day.11.38am: Tim Colbourne, the special adviser to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, is the second witness of the day.
Robert Jay, lead counsel to the inquiry, is leading the questioning of Colbourne after leaving yesterday to his colleagues.Robert Jay, lead counsel to the inquiry, is leading the questioning of Colbourne after leaving yesterday to his colleagues.
11.30am: Lloyd has finished his evidence and the inquiry is taking a short break.11.30am: Lloyd has finished his evidence and the inquiry is taking a short break.
11.29am: Statutory underpinning has not meant that the BBC has become a government voice or made it more difficult to do serious, investigative journalism, Lloyd says.11.29am: Statutory underpinning has not meant that the BBC has become a government voice or made it more difficult to do serious, investigative journalism, Lloyd says.
There is this strong underpinning in the newspaper industry of a dislike of being marshalled into the same kind of more responsible corrals into which other professions are accustomed to work.There is this strong underpinning in the newspaper industry of a dislike of being marshalled into the same kind of more responsible corrals into which other professions are accustomed to work.
Leveson assures Lloyd he has absolutely understood that last point.Leveson assures Lloyd he has absolutely understood that last point.
11.28am: Nearly all newspapers journalists have a "built-in aversion" to anything that infringes their right to behave irresponsibly, Lloyd says. This is an emotional rather than intellectual response, he adds.11.28am: Nearly all newspapers journalists have a "built-in aversion" to anything that infringes their right to behave irresponsibly, Lloyd says. This is an emotional rather than intellectual response, he adds.
11.26am: Lloyd says there are two ways to bring newspapers into the new press regulator: the "carrot and stick approach"; or statute.11.26am: Lloyd says there are two ways to bring newspapers into the new press regulator: the "carrot and stick approach"; or statute.
11.20am: The reconstituted Press Complaints Commission "should at least attempt" to settle privacy and defamation disputes before they reach the courts, Lloyd says. He thinks this is feasible. On sanctions, he calls for corrections and clarifications to have as much prominence as the original publication.11.20am: The reconstituted Press Complaints Commission "should at least attempt" to settle privacy and defamation disputes before they reach the courts, Lloyd says. He thinks this is feasible. On sanctions, he calls for corrections and clarifications to have as much prominence as the original publication.
11.10am: Lloyd says a number of non-governental organisations and charities, such as Full Fact, have taken up a watchdog role in relation to the media.11.10am: Lloyd says a number of non-governental organisations and charities, such as Full Fact, have taken up a watchdog role in relation to the media.
11.09am: There is no general meeting place for journalists to discuss ethics and standards, Lloyd says.11.09am: There is no general meeting place for journalists to discuss ethics and standards, Lloyd says.
He adds that he has tried extremely hard to get editors to give talks to the Reuters Institute of Journalism and "they simply will not come".He adds that he has tried extremely hard to get editors to give talks to the Reuters Institute of Journalism and "they simply will not come".
Some editors say there is no point giving a talk because it would be a "talk of the death", he adds.Some editors say there is no point giving a talk because it would be a "talk of the death", he adds.
11.02am: Lloyd says that journalists' insistence that their work is a trade, not a profession, is partly a defence against the possibility that they could be struck off by a standards body.11.02am: Lloyd says that journalists' insistence that their work is a trade, not a profession, is partly a defence against the possibility that they could be struck off by a standards body.
He adds that if journalists believe they are serving an editor or proprietor, they are less likely to stick to an ethical code.He adds that if journalists believe they are serving an editor or proprietor, they are less likely to stick to an ethical code.
11.01am: Lloyd praises the PCC code, but says it had little impact in the day-to-day life of most newspapers.11.01am: Lloyd praises the PCC code, but says it had little impact in the day-to-day life of most newspapers.
He adds that if journalists believe they are serving an editor or proprietor, they are less likely to stick to an ethical code.He adds that if journalists believe they are serving an editor or proprietor, they are less likely to stick to an ethical code.
10.48am: Lloyd says that politicians and their spin doctors believe they have been forced to defend themselves from a press "which has become ruthless". They do this by trying to keep editors and proprietors happy, he says, describing Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell as chief proponents of this school of PR.10.48am: Lloyd says that politicians and their spin doctors believe they have been forced to defend themselves from a press "which has become ruthless". They do this by trying to keep editors and proprietors happy, he says, describing Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell as chief proponents of this school of PR.
10.39am: The British way of approaching events has become "overly cynical", reducing them to "poltical calculations", Lloyd says.10.39am: The British way of approaching events has become "overly cynical", reducing them to "poltical calculations", Lloyd says.
"I think in this country we're fortunate to have a public broadcaster which, by and large, reports in good faith and, to an extent at least, avoids the pitfalls of cynicism," he adds, referring to the BBC."I think in this country we're fortunate to have a public broadcaster which, by and large, reports in good faith and, to an extent at least, avoids the pitfalls of cynicism," he adds, referring to the BBC.
10.35am: Lloyd describes as "oppressive" any attempts to enforce the separation of fact and comment in newspapers.10.35am: Lloyd describes as "oppressive" any attempts to enforce the separation of fact and comment in newspapers.
10.28am: Barr asks whether there has been a trend towards fusing fact and comment in political reporting.10.28am: Barr asks whether there has been a trend towards fusing fact and comment in political reporting.
Lloyd agrees, pointing to the Times which was famed for its straight reportage of parliament and now includes more commentary. In most reportage nowadays the reader can guess the political leaning of the journalist, he adds.Lloyd agrees, pointing to the Times which was famed for its straight reportage of parliament and now includes more commentary. In most reportage nowadays the reader can guess the political leaning of the journalist, he adds.
Lloyd says it is unlikely that reports these days are more inaccurate as a result because facts are easier to check.Lloyd says it is unlikely that reports these days are more inaccurate as a result because facts are easier to check.
10.24am: Lloyd says a joke among journalists is "comment is free, but facts are expensive".10.24am: Lloyd says a joke among journalists is "comment is free, but facts are expensive".
"The trend in newspapers which are increasingly cash-strapped does tend towards commentary and light journalism," he adds. "I think the trend towards commentary of various kinds will continue.""The trend in newspapers which are increasingly cash-strapped does tend towards commentary and light journalism," he adds. "I think the trend towards commentary of various kinds will continue."
10.23am: Leveson and Lloyd are discussing the financial hard times faced by British national newspapers.10.23am: Leveson and Lloyd are discussing the financial hard times faced by British national newspapers.
Leveson asks whether it is not "rather concerning" that proprietors' main interest in keeping their newspapers is profit, and whether this leads to a "race to the bottom" where certain types of stories are chosen because they will sell more copies.Leveson asks whether it is not "rather concerning" that proprietors' main interest in keeping their newspapers is profit, and whether this leads to a "race to the bottom" where certain types of stories are chosen because they will sell more copies.
Lloyd says that is the model of the tabloids.Lloyd says that is the model of the tabloids.
10.15am: The French press has been "over-deferential" in the past, Lloyd says, whereas the British press is much more fact-based and "scandal-based".10.15am: The French press has been "over-deferential" in the past, Lloyd says, whereas the British press is much more fact-based and "scandal-based".
10.13am: The private lives of politicians in France could "enjoy an immunity" from newspapers until the advent of the internet, Lloyd says. The lack of governance online has forced the French press to move into a "transitional phase" where they are publishing more details than previously about the private lives of public figures.10.13am: The private lives of politicians in France could "enjoy an immunity" from newspapers until the advent of the internet, Lloyd says. The lack of governance online has forced the French press to move into a "transitional phase" where they are publishing more details than previously about the private lives of public figures.
10.10am: Lloyd says that in France there is more "entanglement" between politicians and journalists. In the US, he says, there is much less. The UK is somewhere in between these two cultures.10.10am: Lloyd says that in France there is more "entanglement" between politicians and journalists. In the US, he says, there is much less. The UK is somewhere in between these two cultures.
10.04am: John Lloyd, of the Financial Times, is the first witness of the day.10.04am: John Lloyd, of the Financial Times, is the first witness of the day.
He is being questioned by David Barr, counsel to the inquiry.He is being questioned by David Barr, counsel to the inquiry.
9.57am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.57am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
The lawyer for the family of a British schoolboy killed in the Swiss coach crash will give evidence about media intrusion following the tragedy in March. Giles Crown is solicitor to the family of Sebastian Bowles, 11, who was among the 22 children who died after the accident.The lawyer for the family of a British schoolboy killed in the Swiss coach crash will give evidence about media intrusion following the tragedy in March. Giles Crown is solicitor to the family of Sebastian Bowles, 11, who was among the 22 children who died after the accident.
The Press Complaints Commission intervened on behalf of the Bowles family following the accident after complaints about journalists and photographers seeking pictures and interviews outside their home in Belgium. Some private photographs were said to have been used without permission from the Facebook profile of Edward Bowles, the father of Sebastian.The Press Complaints Commission intervened on behalf of the Bowles family following the accident after complaints about journalists and photographers seeking pictures and interviews outside their home in Belgium. Some private photographs were said to have been used without permission from the Facebook profile of Edward Bowles, the father of Sebastian.
The inquiry will also hear from Jillian Brady, general counsel for Virgin Atlantic airlines, about the leak of flight details for celebrities including Sienna Miller and Ashley Cole to the paparazzi firm Big Pictures.The inquiry will also hear from Jillian Brady, general counsel for Virgin Atlantic airlines, about the leak of flight details for celebrities including Sienna Miller and Ashley Cole to the paparazzi firm Big Pictures.
Also appearing are Tim Colbourne, special adviser to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, and Norman Lamb, the deputy PM's former aide. Both are likely to be asked about the claims – first made by Vince Cable and supported by Clegg earlier this month – that someone linked to News International made "veiled threats" that the Lib Dems would be "done over" if it did not back Rupert Murdoch's bid for the remaining shares in BSkyB.Also appearing are Tim Colbourne, special adviser to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, and Norman Lamb, the deputy PM's former aide. Both are likely to be asked about the claims – first made by Vince Cable and supported by Clegg earlier this month – that someone linked to News International made "veiled threats" that the Lib Dems would be "done over" if it did not back Rupert Murdoch's bid for the remaining shares in BSkyB.
John Lloyd, from the Financial Times, will appear as well as former heritage secretary David Mellor, who claimed he was hounded out of office by the tabloid press.John Lloyd, from the Financial Times, will appear as well as former heritage secretary David Mellor, who claimed he was hounded out of office by the tabloid press.