A very short arm's length

We need much more information on Fred Michel, News Corp's lobbyist on the BSkyB takeover - who clearly knew all these emails to DCMS special advisers and civil servants were coming via Rupert Murdoch to Leveson, and attempts to create a Hunt defence in this additional witness statement.  But somehow, sure-footed Fred seems to make things worse...

I didn’t personally meet with Jeremy Hunt very often although I would periodically keep in touch with him. As it happens, both our wives gave birth in late May 2010 at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. We bumped into each other in the very same ward and shared a night of anxiety


And it wasn't just emails that were exchanged.


There were a few personal text messages between Jeremy and myself, For example, after the formal meeting on 20 January 2011, I sent Jeremy a text to say it had been good to see him. He replied: "Good to see u too. Hope u understand why we have to have the long process. Let’s meet up when things are resolved Jo" 16 On 13 March 2011, after Jeremy had been on the Andrew Marr Show on the BBC, I sent him a text saying that he had been "very good". He replied: "Merci hopefully when consultation over we can have a coffee like the old days!


But this is the bit that does it for me... (my underlining)


For the purposes of these emails, I did not distinguish between Jeremy Hunt’s advisers and him personally. His advisers were there to assist and advise Jeremy Hunt and it was my understanding that when they told me something, it was always on behalf of the Minister and after having conferred with him