PM to drive home government's stance on freedom of speech at Leveson Inquiry (Image courtesy of World Economic Forum)
The course of the ongoing investigations into phone-hacking scandal and BSkyB bid is likely to take a decisive turn as Prime Minister David Cameron, who is set to give evidence to Lord Justice Leveson today, will defend freedom of press.
At the Leveson Inquiry, David Cameron will make his stance very clear that the government will not make any moves that may throttle freedom of press, Downing Street sources divulge, adding that the Prime Minister is on the side of Education Secretary Michael Gove who is a staunch critic of the Leveson Inquiry.
It is learned that the Prime Minister will vow to introduce new operational guidelines for ministers and special advisers to ensure the Hunt debacle never occurs again.
Cameron will have to face awkward questions about the extent of his involvement with the Murdoch empire. Besides, he will also be quizzed on Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s mishandling of the News Corporation’s BSkyB bid. Labour has already questioned the Prime Minister’s judgment over the appointment of Jeremy Hunt in the BSkyB bid.
The texting row involving former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks will put the PM in a spot of bother, according to observers. The ‘LOL’ texts that Brooks said Cameron used to send her regularly are likely to receive a fair amount of probing attention.
Notably, Cameron himself ordered the media ethics inquiry in July 2011 after a phone-hacking scandal broke out to put top figures in the government and media under the scanner.
Related:
BSkyB controversy: Prime Minister stands by Jeremy Hunt
Leveson inquiry: Jeremy Hunt texted James Murdoch defying legal advice
Andy Coulson, ex-editor of Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper, detained for perjury
It’s a shame that Rebekah Brooks stooped to such a level and still can act innocent at the inquiry!
Cameron made the mistake of not dealing with the matter when it was still in its early days. Now the troubles have grown bigger and more complex and as far as I can see, some parts will remain in the dark.
How much money is flowing under the table?
Labour pain has begun.
Freedom of press is a politicised word, coined to mislead the general public. Press says what they want to say, not necessarily what the truth is. That way, journalists are free. But to eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation is an abuse of press rights. I don’t who is guilty or who is not, but the judiciary has to set things straight and if it means coming down hard on the offenders, they have to.