The monkey's gone, how soon before the organ grinder follows him?

[iAdam Smith, Jeremy Hunt's special adviser and News Corporation's key contact in his office, has resigned. Here's his resignation statement in full.


"While it was part of my role to keep News Corporation informed throughout the BskyB bid process, the content and extent of my contact was done without authorisation from the Secretary of State. I do not recognise all of what Fred Michel said, but nonetheless I appreciate that my activities at times went too far and have, taken together, created the perception that News Corporation had too close a relationship with the department, contrary to the clear requirements set out by Jeremy Hunt and the permanent secretary that this needed to be a fair and scrupulous process. Whilst I firmly believe that the process was in fact conducted scrupulously fairly, as a result of my activities it is only right for me to step down as special adviser to Jeremy Hunt."[/i

As always, what is not said is more interesting. Without authorisation, perhaps. Without knowledge..??

I think that's what they call "taking one for the team". In the best tradition of public school fags taking a beasting for the Prefect.

On 5 Live this morning (it was early), they seemed to be saying that Hunt had been advised not to meet Murdoch because of the links to the decision making process, but spoke to him on the phone instead, [uon the same day[/u.

If there is any truth in that, they all need to clear out on the grounds of being utterly utterly thick

So Private Eye's "I-Sky", is all made up?

Howling Mad did start the day by saying should take his own tweets too seriously. So perhaps this can be extended to everything else – including his apparent inability to remember loads of things (which James seems to have inherited on the basis of yesterday's performance)?

Doublespeak, I think it's called.

For Hunt to hide behind his aide is pathetic. This is the way politicians in general work - by putting a short distance between themselves and what they do or say. Hunt must go and must go straight away. Whoever appoined him the Sky case knowing his previously voiced support for them must go too. We need a "new kind of politics" were people in control take responsibility not try to pass the buck to their juniors.

Dennis Skinner to Jeremy Hunt : "When posh boys are in trouble they sack the servants"

Tom Watson to Hunt: Was this all the work of a single rogue adviser?

Do anyone really believe that when James Murdoch's eager helper used the term "JH" in his emails about contacts with whoever, (e.g. JH says this or JH says that) that it was really just shorthand for "Contact with the department" ?
Because I don't.

Its completely implausible that Smith would take such a biased approach without the tacit approval of his boss. They would clearly have discussed their strategy over the bid and the approach that Smith would take.

Its reminiscent of the fuss over Damien McBride's role in Brown's government. The only reason why McBride could get away with the things that he did was because it was well known that he was acting with Brown's unofficial approval.

Similarly, Murdoch's people wouldnt have dealt with Smith unless they knew he was speaking on behalf of Hunt.

If Jeremy Hunt resigns, does he hand his notice in to Cameron or Murdoch?

And even if Smith was acting without proper authorisation, the code of conduct says that the secretary of state bears responsibility for what goes on in his office.

I thought Jay was poor yesterday. He tried to cover too much at a superficial level. It ended up turning into an extended interview of the type that Paxman would have done better. I switched off when he said "I'll get to 1997 eventually"

WOW Rupert Murdoch has just stated that he hasn't read a report from a high court judge that slated one of his own papers.
Really Rupert?

Jay is truely on form today as is Lord Leveson.

Murdoch can't remember who Anne Diamond is – but does remember knowing that he didn't say the things she accused him of saying.

Jay- 'I don't give answers to questions Mr Murdoch I ask them'

Indeed.
So far a former Prime minister is wrong about a conversation they were 'supposed' to have, Another Prime minister didn't mean the papers that are in the NI stable when its clear that he did mean ALL the papers, Anne Diamond is lieing, He cannot remember saying what a then Editor of a competitor has gone on record as being said.

But the best thing to happen so far was that he started moaning about reporters and paps shoving things under his nose until it suddenly dawned on him how hypocritical he sounded.

It is quite extraordinary.

Uncle Rupe described himself of having been a victim of the phone-hacking cover-up. He's broken satire.

Anyone willing to give me odds on Rupe staying in charge of NI?

So Your papers are part of fleet street again then Rupert when you said 'I think this enquiry is for all of the press not just fleet street?'
But earlier you were very quick to distance your papers from fleet street when you tried to poo-poo the very good point from mr Jay when he was reading an extract from Sir John Majors Bio.
So which is it Rupert?

[url=http://www.itv.com/news/2012-04-26/permanent-secretary-dodges-questions-on-news-int-correspondence/DCMS Permanent Secretary has his Sir Humphrey moment[/url

12 times he was asked this morning if he authorised Adam Smith to act as liaison with NewsCorp, 12 times he refused a direct answer

Unless he says anything that actually criminally incriminates him I dont suppose he's that bothered. He might have left himself open with his comments about the "cover up", but apart from that I suspect its all water off a ducks back.