UK & World News
- 17 June 2012, 11:02
Leveson And Gove Clash Over Inquiry Attack
The judge leading the investigation into press ethics complained to the UK's most senior civil servant about claims made by the Education Secretary that the inquiry was preventing press freedom.
Lord Justice Leveson spoke to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood about Michael Gove's comments that the inquiry had created a "chilling atmosphere" towards the media.
In a telephone call with Sir Heywood, Lord Leveson allegedly called for the Tory to be "gagged" and warned the inquiry was being undermined.
Sir Jeremy is reported to have told Prime Minister David Cameron about the conversation.
"Our clear impression was that he was spitting tacks with Gove and was ready to resign unless the Minister was told to shut up," a Government source told the Mail On Sunday.
Mr Gove, a former journalist at the News Corporation-owned Times, told a Parliamentary Press Gallery lunch in February that he saw "dangers" in the inquiry into press cultures, practices and ethics.
Lord Justice Leveson instructed his officials to compile a full report of the comments and he phoned Sir Jeremy within 24 hours, it was reported.
Called to give evidence at the inquiry last month, the Conservative Cabinet Minister went on to make an even more robust assessment about the potential outcome of the probe, warning the judge that inquiry recommendations were often "applied in a way that the cure is worse than the disease".
The pair then clashed when Mr Gove raised concerns about restraints on the "precious liberty" of freedom of speech. In an apparent slap down, Lord Justice Leveson said: "I do not need to be told about the importance of freedom of speech, I really don't."
Earlier this week he opened the hearings by warning it was "essential" cross-party political support for his investigation was "not jeopardised".
A Leveson Inquiry spokesman said: "Lord Justice Leveson is conducting a judicial inquiry and, in that capacity, will not comment on press stories outside the formal proceedings of the inquiry."
what do you think?
Fred Harvey
If you ever wanted a reason to dislike the Tories, look no further then 'Michael Gove', having being adopted as the mouthpiece for the faceless (I haven't got a clue what's going on, but feel I must say somethink) boneless Tories, his behavior at Pime Ministers Question time last Wednesday (childish) and now 'Indirectly' for the above mentioned, still showing support for the Muroch's, payback time for their support, and future support 'maybe' I am totaly convinced to never Trust them, support them or Vote for them, and while we are on the subject, Ian Duncan Smith, lives in Clound Cockoo Land, Where are these Thousands of Jobs?. and then there is Eric Picles, what is the point in him.
TheKarmacanic
Michael Gove is a complete idiot! As a former News International journalist, we can see exactly where his sympathies lie. This is the man who thought that in a time of austerity the taxpayer should be shelling out millions to buy a brand new Royal Yacht!! (If the rumours are true, this is something that even the Queen thought was inappropriate!) Gove is a hypocrite and completely incompetent. He says that teachers are wrong to threaten strike action over their pensions, but years ago when he was a teacher he went on strike! Now that he finds himself on the other side of the argument, he says that he was wrong to do so... IT'S CALLED HYPOCRISY MICHAEL!!
Alf Bibby
groves the chinless wonder. i bet when he was a school he was the butt of everyones jokes. he as a face even his mother must find hard to love.
Fred Harvey
Apparently he was Adopted, makes you wonder, even his Mother (bless her) see somethink in him that the rest have the misfortune in finding out now,
Austin Samara
Gove is the ugliest with a foul mouth cabinet minister alone with Francis maude saw their ugly behaviour at question time last week not fit to be in government running country like united Kingdom, Scotland is better of out of UK.
Andrew Shingleton
We need more investigations like this not less. Politicians ect get away with too much. I welcome Leveson.
Philip Alderson
Talking of hypoctites. The Government are taking the press to task for intercepting texts, voicemails and emails. But they are about to pass a bill to enable them to do that to all of us. Has the world gone mad or is it me?
Jacqui Morrison
I really like Leveson! he does n't take any nonsense and I love the way he slaps the more up themselves witnesses down, to Sky "Political Editor" and professional smarmbucket Adam Boulton - " I know what you do for a living Mr Boulton, but here, I ask the questions" that told him. I think this enquiry is really biting Cameron and Co. on the backside, they clearly expected another toady whitewash a la Hutton or Chilcot, but Leveson is made of sterner stuff. ( I hope).
Michael Hawkins
Hutton and Chilcot, labour favorites with restricted instructions, appointed by labour to find out what labour wanted them to find Leverson appointed by the Tories to find the truths but milking it for every penny he can
Michael Mcardle
got a really big mouth that gove chappy and an even bigger chip on his shoulder. jumped up little pip sqeak.
Michael Hawkins
8:44am on 17/6/2012
How much is this costing us - Will anything change - NO Will we learn anything that 95 % of the population already know Just shut it down and shred the paperwork
TheKarmacanic
9:20am on 17/6/2012
Don't tell, let me guess... You're an employee of News International, right? (Either that, or you're a Daily Mail reader!)
Name witheld
9:27am on 17/6/2012
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Michael Hawkins
6:52pm on 18/6/2012
The car mechanic Wrong on both counts but no surprise there I work for an organisation that is laying off 4000 due to lack of government money whilst £50 million plus will be wasted by the enquire Why wheel in dozens of celebs who may or may not of been hacked to tell the same story Nothing would come of it, nothing will change