It is important that Jeremy Hunt sat next to the prime minister at the urgent question in the Commons today.
It was a show of support. While the culture secretary looked nervous, nodding and glancing at his leader every few seconds, he was under the glare of cameras in the same frame as David Cameron.
That footage alone shows that the secretary of state for culture, media and sport is safe for the moment.
Cameron's tone was sharp, his face unsmiling, although he promised the House he would stay as long as he is required.
"The simple explanation is actually the right one," Cameron said.
"No government before has ever taken such comprehensive action [by setting up Leveson]."
This earned him a glance from Hunt, eager for encouragement. Eric Pickles, on Cameron's right, studied Hunt's face carefully.
The PM repeated his claim that Hunt had acted against NewsCorp's interests on four key decisions.
He admitted that special adviser Adam Smith's contact with the media firm had become "improper and inappropriate".
"That's why the special adviser resigned and was right to do so," continued Cameron. Hunt stared straight ahead.
"I consulted the cabinet secretary and decided it was right to allow Lord Justice Leveson to establish the facts, and to not allow another inquiry."
Cameron claimed nothing could be as "tough or rigorous" as Leveson's inquiry.
But he added: "I am responsible for the ministerial code.
"It is not for Leveson to determine whether Hunt has broken the code."
He listed four meetings he has had with Murdoch. Blair had seven, while Brown had 13.
Ed Miliband stood to respond.
"The reason why it was essential for the prime minister to come to the Commons is because the culture secretary is in clear breach of the ministerial code," he said. "No fewer than three beaches of the ministerial code."
As the Labour leader spoke, Jeremy Hunt and George Osborne leaned in to brief the prime minister.
Miliband argued that Hunt should be "sacked anyway" if he didn't know what his special adviser was up to on such a major deal.
"Weak and wrong," responded Cameron. "That is what we heard… If you are going to make these accusations, get your facts right before you come here."
He threw Damian McBride and Charlie Whelan back at Labour's frontbench, describing Miliband's argument as "self-serving, double standards".
And he attacked deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman for calling for Hunt's resignation within 23 minutes of hearing evidence at Leveson.
"Bad judgement, rotten politics and plain wrong," finished Cameron. "We've learnt something about the Right Honourable gentleman today, and I think it is something he'll regret."
It was a strange threat to leave hanging in the Commons chamber.
By this stage, Twitter had noticed that Jeremy Hunt appeared to be chewing gum as the interrogation went on around him. Other theories include grinding his teeth or biting his tongue.
Whether he was masticating or not, it could have been a sticky session for the culture secretary. But his PM boss has burst that bubble… for the moment.
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