Leveson Gets Political

In the aftermath of Vince Cable’s ‘declaration of war’ on the Murdoch empire, Jeremy Hunt seemed the ideal candidate to take on the role of arbiter of News Corp’s bid to take full control of BSkyB – intelligent, uncontroversial… a safe pair of hands. Evidence uncovered recently would suggest otherwise. Tomorrow, the Culture Secretary himself finally has his say.

Having moved on from arguing about what editors did and did not know about phone hacking, to examining the relationships between ministers and the media, the Leveson Inquiry has become explicitly political. And while some sessions have been relaxed and reflective – Monday’s soft examination of Tony Blair being a prime example – others have been highly-charged.

Last week it was the turn of the man who earlier this year was effectively sacrificed for the sake of his boss – Mr Hunt’s special adviser, Adam Smith. It was revelations about Mr Smith’s cosy email and text exchanges with Fred Michel, a representative of News Corporation, which first raised doubts about Mr Hunt’s suitability for the role.

Then, it was relatively easy to portray Mr Smith as a rogue, acting under guidance but not direct supervision from the Culture Secretary. Now, however, it turns out that Mr Hunt himself had written a memo to David Cameron before he was given responsibility for the decision, stating unequivocally – among other things – that the bid was beneficial to the media industry.

This piles the pressure not only on the minister but on the Prime Minister, too. If he was aware that Mr Hunt had backed up his nuanced public expressions of support for the bid with much stronger language in private, why did Mr Cameron choose to entrust him with the decision?

Tomorrow, Mr Hunt will no doubt point to another assertion in the memo – that “it would be totally wrong for the government to get involved in a competition issue which has to be decided at arm’s length” – as proof that his other remarks were merely observations designed to counter concerns raised about the proposed takeover’s impact on media plurality.

Nevertheless, Labour have so far been nothing if not persistent in their calls for the Culture Secretary to resign, and will almost certainly find more ammunition in tomorrow’s proceedings.

Though he is seen as a talented and valued member of the Cabinet, Jeremy Hunt’s post is not usually critical to the Prime Minister’s authority. But the extent to which Number 10 has already nailed its colours to the mast in its support for him does raise the stakes in this ongoing saga.

Mr Hunt has promised full disclosure to Leveson, including of communications between himself and his adviser, in lieu of presenting such evidence to Parliament (that this is the first week of a fortnight’s recess for the Jubilee may yet prove convenient by delaying such political scrutiny).

One of the Inquiry’s key features thus far has been the examination of wholly unseen, un-briefed, un-leaked documents. This makes for greater anticipation, better headlines, and most importantly more genuine testimony, as witnesses cannot prepare carefully-scripted responses in advance.

Of course, in a way, all this discussion has no real consequence, after the phone hacking scandal led to News Corp making Mr Hunt’s decision for him. But that might not be the last time that it wields its influence in this saga – this week saw yet another U-turn by the government, on some of its minor but irresistibly headline-friendly budget measures (allegedly brought about by a campaign by none other than The Sun); a ‘smoking gun’ tomorrow just might force another one.