Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 and UK Prime Minister when the Inquiry was set up. Cameron was close to the Murdoch newspapers and had appointed Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the World, as his principal media adviser. Gave extensive evidence to the Inquiry agreeing that self-regulation was not working but arguing that statutory regulation was worrying. He admitted Coulson was “a controversial appointment” but said he had had no overt or covert deal with newspapers.
Cameron answers a series of questions put to him by the Inquiry, under these rough headings: Career history, Benefits of politician-media relationship, Risks of the relationship, Differences for Opposition and Government, Benefits of relationship at elections, Risks at elections, Concerns and recommendations about these benefits and risks, Relevance of personal experience at Carlton, Personal approach to dealings with proprietors, editors etc, Discussion of political support by papers, Transparency of such interactions, Media influence on media policies, Risk to press freedom, Media influence on appointments, the Sharon Shoesmith case, the Murdoch BSkyB takeover bid, Relationship and contacts with Rupert Murdoch, Relationships and contacts with Murdoch executives, Andy Coulson.
Questioned by Robert Jay QC, Cameron comments on and enlarges upon much of the above, notably the lessons he drew from his experience at Carlton, the workings and necessity of political-press contacts, his relations with rupert Murdoch and his executives and journalists and the BSkyB bid. The evidence ends with a discussion of regulation.
Cameron answers a series of questions put to him by the Inquiry, under these rough headings: Career history, Benefits of politician-media relationship, Risks of the relationship, Differences for Opposition and Government, Benefits of relationship at elections, Risks at elections, Concerns and recommendations about these benefits and risks, Relevance of personal experience at Carlton, Personal approach to dealings with proprietors, editors etc, Discussion of political support by papers, Transparency of such interactions, Media influence on media policies, Risk to press freedom, Media influence on appointments, the Sharon Shoesmith case, the Murdoch BSkyB takeover bid, Relationship and contacts with Rupert Murdoch, Relationships and contacts with Murdoch executives, Andy Coulson.
List of meetings with media as Prime Minister
List of meeting with media as Leader of the Opposition
List of hospitality received
Letter 8 June 2012 from Linklaters solicitors to the Inquiry giving account of the tracing of text messages between Rebekah Brooks and David Cameron
Questioned by Robert Jay QC, Cameron comments on and enlarges upon much of the above, notably the lessons he drew from his experience at Carlton, the workings and necessity of political-press contacts, his relations with rupert Murdoch and his executives and journalists and the BSkyB bid. The evidence ends with a discussion of regulation.
