The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is the UK Government department responsible for aspects of the media throughout the UK, including broadcasting and internet. Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary at the time of the Inquiry, gave evidence on how the DCMS operated, the role of special advisers and how this worked at the time of the bid by News Corporation to increase its holdings in BskyB, responsibility for which had been unexpectedly transferred to the DCMS. Stephens spoke of his regret that one special adviser, Adam Smith, had to resign when it emerged he had had extensive communications with a News Corporation lobbyist while the deal was under discussion.
