David Blackburn

Cameron on the defensive

‘As things stand, I don’t believe Jeremy Hunt broke the ministerial code,’ said David Cameron to Andrew Marr earlier this morning. But the prime minister reiterated that he would act if new evidence came to light when Jeremy Hunt gives evidence to the Leveson inquiry. Cameron also indicated that he would not wait until Leveson reports in October to punish a breach of the ministerial code. And if Leveson does not clear up the issue, then the Hunt case would be referred to Sir Alex Allan. ‘I know my responsibilities,’ Cameron said time and again.

In addition to putting Jeremy Hunt on probation, Cameron took the opportunity to defend his own conduct with News Corp executives. He conceded that he, and all politicians, had been too close to the Murdoch clan, and said that he ‘might do things differently’ if he had the chance – a reference to his close friendship with Rebekah Brooks.

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