Jeremy Hunt asks to bring forward Leveson appearance over BSkyB claims

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has asked for his appearance at the Leveson inquiry to be brought forward, to respond to claims that his office was in close contact with James Murdoch during the investigation into his bid for BSkyB.

The Leveson inquiry heard yesterday from the former News International chairman, who provided a series of emails revealing that he received "feedback and information" - some confidential and market sensitive - relating to the company's bid for BSkyB from the culture secretary's office.

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman called for Hunt to resign in parliament yesterday, saying: "The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport assured the house that in respect of the News Corporation bid for BSkyB, he was acting as secretary of state in a quasi-judicial capacity, and above all in a way that was impartial and fair.

"In view of the evidence that has been adduced before the Leveson inquiry today, it appears that the Secretary of State has fallen woefully short of the standards expected from him in his office and in the public interest.

"I believe that the right thing for the Secretary of State to do would be to come to the house to offer an apology and tender his resignation."

In a statement issued last night, Hunt said: "Now is not a time for kneejerk reactions. We've heard one side of the story today but some of the evidence reported meetings and conversations that simply didn't happen.

"Rather than jump on political bandwagon, we need to hear what Lord Justice Leveson thinks after he's heard all the evidence.

"Let me be clear my number one priority was to give the public confidence in the integrity of process. I asked for advice from independent regulators - which I didn't have to do - and I followed that advice to the letter.

"I would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible which is why I have today written to Lord Justice Leveson asking if my appearance can be brought forward.

"I am very confident that when I present my evidence the public will see that I conducted this process with scrupulous fairness."

Lord Justice Leveson said today: "I understand entirely the reason for some of the reaction to the evidence yesterday. But I am acutely aware from considerable experience that documents such as these cannot always be taken at face value and can frequently bare more than one interpretation.

"I am absolutely not taking sides or expressing any opinion but I am prepared to say that it is important to hear every side of the story before drawing conclusions."

Article updated at 10.14am, 25 April

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