24 May 2012

Leveson Inquiry - Module 3 - Day 11 - Michel, Smith and Brooke



Useful Links:
Leveson Inquiry Witness Statements HERE 
Leveson Inquiry Witness Lists HERE 
Video Recordings of each day's proceedings HERE
Live Feed From Leveson Inquiry Site HERE
BBC Democracy Live Feed HERE 
Guardian Live Blog HERE

Previous Hearing HERE
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Links to latest articles, comment and information relevant to the Leveson Inquiry:
Unusual protest outside court! (image from Guardian Live blog)...
Twitter - 1:47 p.m. - @AndrewSparrow: - 
Jeremy Heywood, cab sec, says there could be full Whitehall inquiry into Hunt after he gives evidence to Leveson -
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Frederic Michel    
 Original Statement from F Michel
    Guardian Live Blog HERE

    Frederic Michel begins his testimony...
    Mr Jay begins his questioning of Frederic Michel..
    @nataliepeck: Michel joined News Corp in 2009 as DPA and promoted in Dec 2011 to senior VP of government affairs and public policy (Europe).  Michel: Bid became a full job from Sep 2010 and increased as bid went further and further - took up 80 percent of my time. ‪
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel only knew of Sky bid day before announcement (story was broken by Telegraph if I remember right)
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Not part of small confidentiality club preapring the bid. Had been mentioned was intention of News Corp to acquire shares.
    Michel: When I joined was always discussions internally and in the press it was something News Corp would want to contemplate.

    @dansabbagh:
    Michel says no great secret News wanted to bid for Sky (hmm, well sort of true)
    @IndexLeveson:
    Michel: There was always discussions, internally or in press, that this [BskyB bid} would be something News Corp would contemplate
    @iankatz1000:
    Here's what Michel reported to his bosses about his June 15 conversation with Cable on bid
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel says (dubiously) that he didn't have a specific view whether Tories or Labour would be more favorable to a Sky bid.
    @nataliepeck
    Michel: I was definitely able to ascertain the sort of political climate when the launch was annouced.
    Michel: My role was to represent our arguments for why this bid was strong and to make representations to all political parties.
    Michel: Understood SoS quasi-judicial role in broad terms. Jay: Did a lawyer explain it to you? Michel: No.

    @dansabbagh:
    Michel edgy, cautious. Jay moving slowly, stalking him. Leveson's early tone sceptical.
    @rosschawkins: Michel said News Corp were advised key was not to have inappropriate contact with sec of state
    @nataliepeck: Michel: Legal team assessed that they key element of a quasi-judicial process was not to have inappropriate contact with SoS.  
    Michel: I was never of the view it was inappropriate to at least try to put the argument or make representations to these officers.
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel says "JH" meant Hunt or his spads or civil servant. Therefore Michel should not made any inappropriate contact w any of them.
    Michel says we could not get to Cable so they lobbied other ministers - especially DCMS, ie Hunt.

    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: The intention was for me to put the argument to them, to explain, to even share some of the expert evidence.
    @IndexLeveson:
    Michel written statement: Between Dec 2010 and end July 2011 did not have direct conversation w Hunt relating to BskyB proposal
    Michel written statement (cont): however there were a limited number of text messages

    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: JH is shorthand I decided to use, was having lots of conversations and trying to be as quick and generic as I could.
    Michel: There's 2 or 3 events when I probably had impression some feedback I was being given had been discussed with the SoS.
    Jay: Counted 191 calls, 158 emails, 99 texts over 90% exchanged with Smith (June 10-Jul 11). 257 from Smith to you (Nov 10-Jul 11).
    [Correction: 799 text messages from Michel to Hunt's team (mostly with Adam Smith).
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel and Smith had more than one contact a day. Michel says Smith was warm professional and diligent.
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: I can't assess whether or not Smith was a supporter of the bid or not.
     
    @IndexLeveson:
    Michel: [Smith] always very diligent in his work with me, and any interactions I had with him were always professional and reliable
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: I think my memos - as they were internal emails - were an accurate account of the conversations I'd had.
    @arusbridger:
    Jay: did you big up your role (by exaggerating in emails)? Michel: No i don't agree with that. I didn't need to
    @nataliepeck:
    Jay now bringing up text messages June 2010 - 21 December 2010.

    @rosschawkins:
    Michel described BBC director general speech as failure a whimper really, self serving laughable in text to Hunt
    Hunt replied: because he trained his guns on you failed to make his case to me  

    @JoshHalliday:
    Jeremy Hunt to News Corp's Michel on Mark Thompson speech in Aug 2010: "Because he trained his guns on you he failed to make his case to me”
    @dansabbagh:
    Oct 2010 - Michel asks Hunt if he will see News Corp"s arguments for Sky bid. Hunt later texts back to say this is "persuasive".
    @nataliepeck:
    Oct exchange on bid memo: I think he was just commenting on whether or not the way we were putting our arguments was convincing.
    Michel to Hunt Nov 10: Can you meet James tomorrow morning for a catch up. Would be good, even early morning.
    Michel: Given the frustration on both sides that Nov 2010 meeting couldn't happen - not sure if phone call took place afterwards.


    @dansabbagh:
    Murdoch did phone Hunt on Nov 15 or Nov 16 10 to discuss Sky bid after Hunt had been banned from meeting Murdoch.
    @iankatz1000:
    Here's that mail from Michel relaying how Hunt was advised not to meet J Murdoch, but could talk to Murdoch on mobile
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel-Hunt: Thanks for call with James today, greatly appreciated. We'll work with Adam to make sure can send helpful arguments.
    @iankatz1000:
    Michel texted Hunt saying he would send "helpful arguments" through Adam Smith. Hunt replies: "pleasure"
    @skymarkwhite:
    Around 15th Nov 2010, Jeremy Hunt has telephone call with James Murdoch to discuss BSkyB bid, after JH said he couldn't meet JM
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: On Hunt's request stopped contacting him over the bid - apart from a few private text messages.
    Jay now going through Michel's contact with Adam Smith over the same period (June - Nov 2010).
    Michel: Contact with Smith fine because it was an official channel and special advisor part of SoS office. Never told differently.  
    Michel: Purpose of contact was to check on an ongoing basis the temperature at Westminster: Jay: Precisely.

    @iankatz1000:
    Michel denies that he exaggerated Smith's comments about govt support for BSkyB bid. "I don't need to puff myself up"
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel tripped up. Writes June 10 mail that UK govt would b "supportive" of bid after spkng to Smith - but says didn't know if Hunt onside

    @nataliepeck:
    Smith denies truth of Michel's claim to News Corp - he will be working with Hunt and Ed Vaizey going forward.
    On Ofcom review: Hunt-Michel: Don't know anything. Michel-News Corp: Jeremy Hunt is not aware and think it's not credible at all.
    Michel: Can't remember if Hunt was supportive of bid at meeting with me and Rebekah Brooks (Nov 10).
    Michel on email: "Jeremy has also asked me to send him relevant documents privately" – I meant directly.

    @BBCPeterHunt:
    Leveson: Michel -- Jeremy Hunt probably supportive of some of the arguments we were putting forward.
    @dansabbagh:
    Jay is on brilliant form. Michel is being skewered again and again. Michel being smoked out on his refusal to characterise Hunt's thinking. 
    Michel won't say it strongly but seems obvious to a dodo that Hunt preferred the Sky bid when compared to the 'biassed' Cable.

    @iankatz1000:
    Jay asks if Hunt maintained "studied neutrality throughout". Michel: "My view is he ws probably supportive of some of t arguments" [for bid]
     Here's Michel mail reporting that Hunt "very much shares our view of it" after first Ofcom intervention

    @IndexLeveson:
    Jay: Were DCMS a government dept who were in favour of your bid?
    Michel: I think they were probably in agreement with arguments we had put forward on plurality
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel emailed Smith Oct 2010: Attached briefing memos for Jeremy on the transaction, including Sky News audience shares.
    Smith to Michel (Oct 10) after Michel sends memos on plurality and competition: Jeremy’s response to this – “persuasive”.  

    @dansabbagh:
    Looks like Hunt was promised a News Corp pro bid doc at the Brooks/Michel meeting at Birmingham.
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Was debriefed on call with Vince Cable by James Murdoch afterwards.

    @iankatz1000:
    If you're following Michel at ‪#Leveson‬ you may find this mega-timeline of the BSkyB bid and Micehl's lobbying helpful
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Was clear as I went on heard from Lib Dem/Labour that News of the World would be a big issue.
    @arusbridger:
    Short break at Leveson. We've learned more than 1,000 texts btwn News Corp & DCMS over BSkyB. + c 350 calls/emails
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Was told any meetings with Vince Cable's special adviser were off-limits. Thought DCMS stance was more normal.
    @arusbridger:
    When Cable was running BSkyB he refused any mtgs, even w Spads. All changed w DCMS. Became "clandestine" says Jay

    @dansabbagh:
    Michel says his links w DCMS were not clandestine - they were legitimate advocacy.
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Inference is this is a clandestine, back-channel of information. If anyone from SoS office thought so would have told me.

    From Guardian Live Blog:
    Michel says: "If anyone from Hunt's office thought this inappropriate they would have told me. It's not for me to say how Hunt's office should work."
    Jay turns to a meeting between Michel and George Osborne's special adviser, Rupert Harrison. Harrison told Michel there were "coalition tensions" around the bid, the inquiry hears.
    Michel tried again to meet Cable's special adviser, says Jay, but was once against rebuffed.
    He believed that this deserved to be "tested" and asked News Corp lawyers whether they should be allowed to lobby Cable and his special adviser.
    The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh has just tweeted:
    Michel says that Hunt's department took a "very different approach" when the culture secretary was given responsibility for the bid.
    When the bid switched to DCMS there was "much more openness" about hearing News Corp's arguments, he adds.
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Smith gave me updates on timing, on process, on the atmospherics of the day. We were in contact at lot.
    Text Michel-Hunt (Jan 11): Great to see you today! We should get [children] together in future to socialise!
    Hunt-Michel: Good to see u too. Hope you understand why we have to have the long process. Let's meet up when things are resolved J.
    Michel-Hunt (Mar 11): You were great in Comms today. Reply: Merci large drink tonight.
    Hunt-Michel (Mar 11): Merci, hopefully when consultation over we can have coffee like the old days!

    @iankatz1000:
    Jay: "Is this an example of, to use the vernacular, shmoozing?" Michel: "No, it's a friendly text"

    Conscious effort by Jay to "pre-butt" Michel claims with Smith's defence. Perhps response to perceived unfairness of Hunt being blind-sided
     
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel-Smith (Jan 11): Would be good if you could push point to media normal and legal for Jeremy to take representations.

    @dansabbagh:
    Michel asks Smith for help "with the media" on Jan 13 - wants Smith to argue it's normal for Hunt to take representations w News Corp.

    Michel spoke to Adam Smith three times on day Hunt had critical private meeting with Ofcom boss. They spoke for 27.5 minutes.

    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: On Ofcom report could say Smith was agreeing with me there were areas where we could justifiably raise a criticism.

    From Guardian Live Blog:
    1.07pm: Here is a lunchtime summary of the key evidence heard by the Leveson inquiry today:
    • Jeremy Hunt's department and News Corporation exchanged more than 1,000 text messages during the controversial BSkyB takeover bid.
    • Hunt's adviser, Adam Smith, sent 257 text messages, plus a string of emails from his personal account, to News Corp lobbyist Frédéric Michel.
    • Michel believed Hunt was "probably in favour" of News Corp's £8bn BSkyB bid by December 2010.
    • Michel denied he was given "running commentary" on the bid by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
    Afternoon session:

    @nataliepeck:
    Formal email Smith-Michel saying Hunt's office would not provide a "running commentary" on process: Due to the (cont)

    @benfenton:
    Jay says Smith told him about timeline for the "UILs" which was not information in public domain. [UIL means "undertaking in lieu"]
    [Undertaking in lieu: a remedy offered (by a company trying to get a proposed bid or merger past OFT) "in lieu" of full referral to CC ]
    Jay is pressing Michel on whether it was he or Smith who said that the UILs would mean "game over" for opponents of the bid.  

    @nataliepeck:
    Jay is pressing Michel on whether it was he or Smith who said that the UILs would mean "game over" for opponents of the bid.
    Michel: I believe that whatever Mr Smith tells me represents the view of the SoS, yes.

    @benfenton:
    Michel says Smith sd the UILs were a "game changer". Debate over whether the "voice" in emails is Hunt or Smith.
    "I was representing News Corp. He was representing Mr Hunt." [A strong statement of Michel's attitude to his lobbying position.]

    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: I was representing News Corp and Smith the SoS in those discussions [on Hunt "needs to build some political cover" claim].
    @benfenton:
    Jay asks if M agrees he was getting "immense reassurance"they were going to get what they wanted. "No, not that leap, but I wd take comfort"
    M: "Yeah, it was encouraging."
    [On UILs - in the Sky bid, News Corp proposed hiving off Sky News as separate company, diluting concentration of Murdoch-owned news power]

    @dansabbagh:
    Michel writes on Jan 23 - days before Hunt goes to the Commons - that Smith "wants us to take the heat with him in the next two weeks".
    @benfenton:
    [The timing would have been surprising because it was before markets closed in UK and that was arguably market-moving info]
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: Memo must have been borne out of a call. Don't believe that kind of detailed conversation would have been given by text.
    @dansabbagh:
    New York + London markets still open when approval info sent by Hunt and received.
    @benfenton:
    Jay: This is inside info for News Corp? M: Given to team interacting with DCMS on the transaction. They knew it wdn't go anywhere else. 
    @arusbridger:
    Michel on his "absolutely illegal" advance peek at Hunt's Commons statement: "It was a v bad joke."
    @iankatz1000:
    Here's the "can't say they are too brilliant" text exchange between Smith and Michel
    @rosschawkins:
    For those following in detail - the emails being discussed are here () 5mb worth, released during Murdoch evidence
    @benfenton:
    [Jay has put it to Michel that he had insider information. Michel answer boils down to "They knew they could trust us." Interesting. ]
    [It seems to me that this list is incomplete because there are conversations which appear to begin in thin air.]
    In a text exchange, Smith says "I agree" to Michel's question: We are in a good place tonight, no?

    @nataliepeck:
    Jay says Michel email claim JH "needs some space to prevent any accusation of deal-making" not reflected in texts with Smith.
    Michel says there is a text backing up the claim [Jay clearly annoyed to have missed something]. 

    @benfenton:
    Michel says he believes that presentation of the UIL had gone well and "most commentators" agreed plurality concerns had been met. 
    [I think Michel was right to say most people thought UIL did address plurality concerns.There was more concern if separate Sky News cd live]

    @iankatz1000
    On scale of 1-10 where 1 is Walter Mitty + 10 is reliable messnger I'd say Michel coming out around 7 so far. Wonder hw will look aftr Smith
    @arusbridger:
    Michel claims Hunt's man offered to provide him confidential documents from opponents of Sky bid
    @benfenton:
    Michel says he got on well with Adam Smith "at every stage". But disagrees with Jay characterising it as "drawing him into your confidence".
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: I think Smith was my interlocutor in that process and we were both representing, him the department and me News Corp.
    Jay: Before that email there were four telephone calls and another after that. There was also a call out from Smith to Hunt.
    Michel-Smith [night of Swan Lake email]: Let me know if you get feedback from JH tonight. We are working throughout.  

    @benfenton:
    Michel claimed he managed to get Hunt "before he went into see Swan Lake". Jay tells him Covent Garden wasn't showing it that night.
    Michel says he was "melodramatising" because he is French. [Quick summary, may have misunderstood. He is French, you know.]

    @dansabbagh:
    Michel told J Murdoch he spoke to "JH" before Swan Lake on Feb 9 when in fact Smith spoke to Hunt at 19.03 and appears to have relayed back
    @arusbridger:
    Michel told Smith: Hunt has to show he had some back bone by dismissing Ofcom. "He had to stand for something"
    @iankatz1000:
    Michel says call in which he tld Hunt (via Smith) to shw "some backbone" was attempt to "reflect frustration + language we wr using in team"

    @ dansabbagh:
    Michel frequently glancing over at Smith, who is in court
    @arusbridger:
    Michel: No rationale for Ofcom demand Murdoch could not become chairman of the new Sky organisation.
    Hunt (Hansard): "the contact I had w Michel was only at official meetings tt were minuted w other people present

    @benfenton:
    M: They were encouraging us to stay in the game, but I wdn't say they [DCMS] were parti pris. [Michel slightly corrects Jay's pronunciation]
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: DCMS trying to encourage us to stay in the game, but no, I wouldn't use the word 'parti pris'.
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel involved in a flurry of overnight phone calls and texts ahead of Hunt statement to Parlt of March 3 approving bid
    Michel had a preview of March 3 statement due at 7.30am - at 3.25am.
    Michel's "one hour" phone call with Smith on March 10 was actually 34min long. "French time" Michel says.

    @nataliepeck:
    Jay points out Michel saw Hunt statement approx four hours in advance.
     
    @benfenton:
    News Corp's legal adviser on the acquisition of BSkyB was copied into email revealing Hunt was minded to accept UIL.

    @nataliepeck:
    Michel: We had some debates - by text and also on calls - about why there was a delay. I think everyone was impatient + frustrated.
    @dansabbagh:
    Michel tried to secure a meeting with Hunt's deputy Ed Vaizey around June 7 but was rebuffed by dept+Smith
    @nataliepeck:
    Jay: Where did you get information about possibility of public inquiries? Michel: I would have drawn from conversation with Smith. 
    Michel: There was from me an offer to brief the department on the ongoing issues at NI and that it was something that was welcomed.
    @benfenton:
    Jay puts it to M that he was "just wrong" to say that he had discussed phone hacking with Adam Smith.M says he always offered to brief on NI
    @iankatz1000:
    Michel insists key mail to Brooks saying Hunt and No 10 want help shaping response to hacking broadly accurate tho language poss bit strong
    @nataliepeck:
    Michel tried to arrange a dinner with Craig Oliver and Will Lewis. Says it was just a social occasion, to introduce Will to Craig.
    @BBCPeterHunt:
    Leveson: Michel texted Craig Oliver in Downing St-- phone hacking case to be launched against Daily Mail on Monday. "it was a rumour"
    @arusbridger:
    Michel had dinner with No 10 press chief Craig Oliver after Milly D story. Oliver asks for "discreet" restaurant
    @benfenton:
    Text to Osborne chief of staff asking him to recruit O to support News on Sky bid.
     
    Michel: It was never put to me that if BSkyB bid went through I would get a substantial bonus.



    Michel's testimony now complete.

    Adam Smith

    Adam Smith's Resignation Statement:
    While it was part of my role to keep News Corporation informed throughout the BskyB bid process, the content and extent of my contact was done without authorisation from the Secretary of State. I do not recognise all of what Fred Michel said, but nonetheless I appreciate that my activities at times went too far and have, taken together, created the perception that News Corporation had too close a relationship with the department, contrary to the clear requirements set out by Jeremy Hunt and the permanent secretary that this needed to be a fair and scrupulous process. Whilst I firmly believe that the process was in fact conducted scrupulously fairly, as a result of my activities it is only right for me to step down as special adviser to Jeremy Hunt.
    Guardian Live Blog HERE
    Adam Smith begins his testimony...
    ....questioned by Mr Jay
    @estheraddley:
    Fred Michel and Adam Smith exchange tiniest flicker of a smile as they pass in court room. Smith now starting evidence
    @nataliepeck:
    #Leveson‬ thanks Smith for the trouble he's taken and recognises it "can't be an easy time".
    #Leveson‬ asks how old Smith is. "I'm 30".
    @skymarkwhite:
    Lord Justice Leveson: Mr Smith do you mind if I asked a somewhat impertinent question, how old are you? He's 30 but does look terribly young
    Adam Smith had understandably close relationship with Jeremy Hunt, worked with him for number of years, co-wrote some documents and speeches
    Adam Smith says he didn't have a line manager as such, would report into the Culture Secretary with some oversight from Permanent Secretary

    @nataliepeck:
    Smith: I got know what Hunt liked and expected from his members of staff and likewise he got to know how I worked.
    Smith: Special advisers are appointed personally by Secretary of State rather than recruited in normal way. Reported to Mr Hunt.

    @dansabbagh:
    Adam's five star appraisal in Dec 10 is flashed up on our screens. "An ideal bridge with the dept and minister" + "consistently adds value"
    @benfenton:
    [FWIW On one occasion I met Adam Smith, I was impressed. Quiet, serious, insightful but steered away from media hacks]
    @nataliepeck:
    Smith ws: Would meet with Hunt and other ministers or would speak by telephone. They sometimes came to SpAd office.

    From Guardian Live Blog:
    During News Corp's BSkyB bid, Smith's contact with Hunt about the takeover was "not as frequent" as you would expect and not daily. It was driven by events.
    He spoke to Hunt around News Corp's publication of its undertaking in lieu, he confirms.
    Smith would often speak to Hunt if events "were leading up to him announcing something," he adds.
    @benfenton:
    Hunt didn't have much of a relationship with either of the Murdochs or ceo of NI [Brooks] but not close to News Corp.
    @nataliepeck:
    Smith said Jeremy Hunt did not describe himself as an NI cheerleader on his website, came from press interview posted there.
    Smith to Hunt on News Corp info: Obviously strictly commercially confidential but very interesting. Hunt: Very powerful actually.
    ‪#Leveson‬: What had this to do with you? Was being dealt with by another department: Smith: They wanted everyone to know what they thought.
    Smith: Sometimes I would draft memos to the PM from Hunt, sometimes he would write them himself.

    @benfenton:
    J Murdoch wanted to create a multiplatform multimedia site.If this is blocked it shd be on proper plurality grounds[Note from Hunt to PM]
    Hunt's draft note to PM sd blocking it wd obstruct UK Media industry. [So he was supportive.]
    [Attorney Generals have previously advised Cabinets that ministers in this kind of quasi-judicial role should not be lobbied]

    @iankatz1000:
    SIGNIFICANT: Hunt drafted memo to PM in Nov 10 saying blocking BSky bid would cause "media sector [to] suffer for years" and seeking meeting
    Smith concedes Hunt's personal view was favorable to the BSkyB bid but says he'd said as much in public
    Hunt wanted meeting with Cameron and Cable to discuss issues around BSkyB bid. Smith says doesn't know if it happened.
    @dansabbagh:
    SO - Hunt tried to intervene in favour of Murdoch bid for sky in private note to cameron on Nov 19 2010
    @arusbridger:
    Hunt memo to Cameron Nov 19 10: "James Murdoch is furious .. he wants to repeat what his father did at Wapping."
    Hunt, despite warning by officials that Sky bid nothing to do with him, asks Cam 'Why are we trying to stop it?' 

    @benfenton:
    [Important] Hunt to Cam: " totally wrong to cave in to the [BBC]/C4/Guardian line"
    @iankatz1000:
    So just to recap: Hunt writes to Cameron in Nov telling him bid should not be blocked. In Dec Cameron puts Hunt in charge of deciding bid
    @dansabbagh:
    Hunt memo also reveals that News Corp told him they wanted to bundle Sky+Times+Sun - in contrast to what they told the outside world. 
    Hunt memo divides media world into Murdoch and publicly owned/trust owned media orgs. No room for Mail or Telegraph or ITV
    All legal power to approve Sky bid sat then with Cable. No evidence PM commissioned the meeting Hunt sought to rein in Cable.
    Hunt's memo to Cameron reveals a piece of News Corp strategy that was NOT in the public domain. News Corp ruled out TV/newspaper bundling

    @JoshHalliday:
    "If we block it our media sector will suffer for years: – full text of Jeremy Hunt memo to David Cameron on BSkyB bid  
    @nataliepeck:
    Smith: Permanent Secretary wouldn't have been at every single meeting on the bid.
     
    @benfenton:
    Leveson querying what Smith knew about the "quasi-judicial" role of Hunt. Smith says he wasnt told of any restrictions on himself. [Oh.]
    @nataliepeck:
    Smith: My role was to be one of the points of contact for News Corp, to act as a buffer and as a channel of communication.
    @afneil:
    Adam Smith dong best to stand up for his ex-boss but putting Cameron in frame as a result ‪#leveson
    @arusbridger:
    Memo reveals that Cam knew Hunt was passionate supporter of Sky bid just before he appts him in place of Vince
    @benfenton:
    It wodnt have surprised anyone in the department that I was having those discussions with Michel. I assumed it was my role.
    Smith says broadly speaking he shared view of Hunt that Sky bid should go through.
    It's been a longish day, says Leveson, as he breaks. Could be a longer one for some government spokesmen, I should think.

    @IndexLeveson:
    Smith: I didn’t mind either way whether [the bid] happened or not. I didn’t see what everyone was getting so worked up about

    To be continued, 9:30 a.m. tomorrow (Friday 25th May)


    Lord Brooke    Witness Statement and Exhibits

    Guardian Live Blog HERE
    Lord Brooke being sworn in..
    Mr Barr beginning the evidence session with Lord Brooke..
    @nataliepeck:
    We're off at ‪#Leveson‬. David Barr questioning Lord Brooke, former SoS for National Heritage (1992-4).
    Brooke was an MP 1977-2001, member of government 1979-1994, moved to Lords in 2001 - also chairman of Cons Party 1987-89.
    Barr notes Mellor (Brooke's predecessor) subject to press attention following resignation, asks if revenge for reviewing self-reg.
    Brooke: After Calcutt 2 published (Jan 93) made statement in HoC six days later. Subject to a leak (Telegraph) which put pressure.
    Brooke: Tabloid stories "bought out of cold storage", could have been a "warning shot". Wanted to make state as early as we could.
    Barr reads from Brooke's statement: The government would be extremely reluctant to pursue statutory regulation.
    Brooke: The press has not been subject to statutory regulation since 1695. First time it happens will be extremely significant.
    Lord Brooke speaking about pressure put on his Government by press after Calcutt Report in '93..
    @nataliepeck:
    Barr: Why did the government choose to oppose Clive Soley's Bill, which would have introduced independent press authority?
    Brooke: No sense at all in having other legislation cluttering up the deck. Unusual for Priv Mem Bill to make statute book.
    Brooke: No evidence that the PCC themselves were excited about having an ombudsman, whether statutory or voluntary.

    @IndexLeveson:
    Brooke: After Calcutt 1&2 we had to allow PCC to build up different instruments that they could deploy to be more successful
    @nataliepeck:
    Brooke: The ombudsman was directed towards privacy, separate discussion about criminal charges relating to intrusion.
    Barr: Did government think PCC would be a regulator? Brooke: I think we were envisioning that it would be self-regulator.

    Brooke says he is uncomfortable discussing what he means by "self-regulator". ‪#Leveson‬ allows questioning to move on.
    Brooke: Consultation on privacy tort had 58 in favour, 29 no clear view and 16 against. The majority in favour of going ahead 4-1.  
    Brooke: We had tort written into the PCC code. Wouldn't have happened without Lord Wakeham.
    Brooke: Meeting in 1994 with Wakeham, Lord Chancellor, Home Sec (Howard), Solicitor General, Dep Gov Chief Whip on Calcutt issues.
    Brooke: Meeting gave green light to dep further work on preparation of White Paper would be productive - agreement breaking out.
    Barr: No 10 wrote to commend continuing pressure to improve self-reg but asks White Paper to be redrafted with arguments against.
    Brooke: We were basically being asked (by PM) to put the draft White Paper into drawer and effectively go back to the drawing board.  

    @nataliepeck:
    Brooke: Home Sec wrote in June 1994 and said he wanted to go back to idea White Paper could be published without draft clauses.
    Brooke: I think it was a great pity that we were not actually able to reach agreement between us and go forward.
    Brooke: Government might have been able to sleep better at night because had not crossed the Rubicon,might have been better if had.

    @IndexLeveson:
    Brooke on future of regulation: Having a majority of independent participants in whatver body is [regulating] is all to the good 
    @nataliepeck:
    Brooke: I need to know to what degree we are trespassing into areas of statutory activity which we have otherwise forsworn.
    Brooke: Since 1945 quite extraneous events, like a Private Member's Bill, had the effect of moving the story on quite a lot.
    LJ Leveson reminding Lord Brooke that earlier inquiries' findings and recommendations haven't 'stuck' and 'here we are again....'
    @nataliepeck
    Brooke: Partly because of the way things have happened in the past, the suggestion you’ve made may well be very constructive.
    Brooke: Sunday Mirror episode (printed pictures of Princess Diana in a gym) made press realise needed to change behaviour.

    Lord Brooke's testimony is now complete.
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