Cameron gives evidence at the Leveson Inquiry‏

Prime Minister David Cameron began giving evidence at the Leveson Inquiry yesterday. 

Cameron set up the Leveson Inquiry in July last year after Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World was shut down and rumours of phone hacking started to spread. 

During the inquiry, Cameron described the moment James Murdoch revealed that The Sun would back David Cameron. He said “It was a drink and a catch up. He wanted to tell me The Sun was going to support the Conservatives. I was obviously pleased. He was very keen to tell me directly that The Sun was going to support the Conservatives. My memory is that was what the conversation was about.”

Further evidence was revealed as it came to light that News International has released a number of new text messages between Rebekah Brooks and David Cameron. One text from Brooks read “I am so rooting for you, not just as a personal friend but because professionally we are in this together. Speech of your life? Yes he Cam!”

David Cameron is said to have recorded 1,404 meetings with journalists while in opposition between 2005 and 2010. Cameron was struggling to win the support of the conservative press while he sought to modernise the Tory party. 

It has emerged that George Osborne and Ed Miliband are set to give evidence next week. Gordon Brown is also set to testify next week. He has denied claims by Murdoch that he threatened to “make war” on News Corp in a phone call after The Sun switched its support to the Conservative party. 

Matthew Warcup