Ex-Jeremy Hunt Aide Faces Leveson - Sky News

The Leveson Inquiry is to focus on the Culture Secretary's dealing with News Corporation

6:35am UK, Thursday May 24, 2012

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's interactions with Rupert Murdoch's media empire will be under the spotlight later when his former special adviser and a News Corporation lobbyist appear at the Leveson Inquiry.

Adam Smith resigned as Mr Hunt's aide in April over his dealings with News Corporation lobbyist Frederic Michel - who is also appearing today.

At the time he left his job, Mr Smith admitted he went too far in his dealings with Mr Michel.

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Adam Smith pictured with Jeremy Hunt

Mr Smith had been heavily criticised for his contact with News Corp while the company's bid for BSkyB was ongoing.

Mr Michel has been called to give evidence after the inquiry published a dossier of his emails describing his frequent contacts with Mr Hunt's office over the company's attempted takeover of BSkyB.

On Friday, the top civil servant at Mr Hunt's Department of Culture, Media and Sport is also due to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry.

Permanent secretary Jonathan Stephens was dragged into the BSkyB row when Mr Hunt repeatedly told MPs that the civil servant had "approved" the arrangements for maintaining a line of communication with News Corp.

But Mr Stephens declined to confirm that when he subsequently appeared before the Commons Public Accounts Committee.

He said in a later letter that he was "aware and content" of Mr Smith's involvement.