Don't Push It

Since the Leveson Inquiry started there has been a wholesale change in approach to it by the newspapers and police. Although there are a few gripes, both institutions have ceased attacking the basis of the Inquiry and have settled on a mediation strategy.

Not so the politicians. They are, if anything, incrasingly intransigent in the face of the New World Order and act as if political traps and deceit can still win the day. The Coalition's insistence that Hunt's disreputable behaviour on the BskyB bid should not be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny but deferred until Leveson has taken a view was a desperate attempt to shield him from the inevitable beheading which awaits him. This shows poor judgement by the PM. Again.

To do so would make Brian Leveson the political arbiter in the case and that is a role he will certainly refuse. When Clegg boasted without any basis about bringing forward Hunt's evidence for his political convenience the Inqury said, "Halt."

When Mr Jay, the Leveson Inquiry's QC (pictured) has his opportunity in three weeks time to cross examine Hunt he will no doubt be mindful of the attempt by ministers to push the Inquiry in a particular direction to save Hunt. And the Secretary of State will find political answers will not remotely suffice when posed tough legal questions.