Michael Gove has finished giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry.
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Alastair Campbell, @campbellclaret, tweets: "I think Leveson probing Gove so closely because he may know Gove the minister Cameron looks to for intellectual guidance. Sad but true."
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Protracted parry-and-riposte between Leveson and Gove on regulation now.
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Leveson suggesting some kind of mechanism to be devised on small claims resolved outside of court, to enable "swift redress" - thereby saving money for members of the public, as well as the press.
He asks Gove if he thinks this is a good idea. "The devil would be in the detail," he says, but it could work fairly.
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"I have a strong predisposition to favour free expression," Gove says. "I believe it is through the clash of ideas that we can arrive at a better form of governing."
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Leveson suggests there has to be a structure to permit complaints from those whose liberty and rights have been infringed on. Gove agrees. "It's certainly the case that there might be room for improved regulation," he says. But, he adds, good intentions can lead to curtailmen in the wayregulation has worked over the past 30 years.
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Leveson himself concerned with "real public concern" over the way some corners of the press are behaving, and have behaved over the last 50 years.
Gove says regulation must be approached carefully, and on the assessment that it is the right remedy.
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Lord Justice Leveson says: "Mr Gove, I do not need to be told on the importance of free speech. I really don't. But I am concerned that the effect of what you say might be that you are in fact taking the view that behaviour which everybody so far in this Inquiry has said is unacceptable, albeit not necessarily criminal, has to accepted because of the right to free speech."
Gove says he might not agree, but that there are a "variety of sanctions". Tense back-and-forth between Leveson and Gove now.
The Guardian's Ian Katz, @iankatz1000, tweets: "Gove standing up to Leveson almost as robustly as John Mullin"
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Jay asks is Gove, in principle, opposed to the regulation of the press - if it is balanced and fair. "Not entirely," Gove says. He worries that the "laws of the land" should be used or else risk curtailing liberty.
Lord Justice Leveson reassures the Inquiry he is not interested in curtailing liberty, before interrogating Gove's argument.
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Gove suggests the "cure might be worse than disease" with regards the ethics and standards of the press. This was the reason for the remarks in his press gallery speech, he says.
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Jay moves the Inquiry away from schools and on to a speech Gove made to the press gallery earlier this year, when he warned about the potential "chilling atmosphere" created by the Leveson Inquiry.
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The Inquiry has taken a short break. Back soon.
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Jay asks if commerical considerations entered into News Corp's thinking at any time.
Gove states he thinks Murdoch was only interested in improving schools for "purely philanthrophic reasons".
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Four days after Gove invited Joel Klein (then at the New York Schools Department) to London regarding domestic education policy, he joined the board of directors at News Corporation.
Gove denies any advance notification of this. But it came as no surprise, he adds.
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Jay asks about a meeting in late November 2010 between Gove and News International figures about the possibility of a NI-funded academy in Newham, East London.
"The philanthropist in the model you have described would be News International. Who would provide the rest of the money?" Jay asks.
Payment would be shared between central government and News International, on a site provided by the London Development Authority.
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Gove highlights the differences between acadamies and free schools (as well as both's history, of course). Funding arrangements are broadly similar, Gove says.
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Jay moves on to free schools and academies, and the Academies Act 2010.
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Gove denies any knowledge of an "expressed deal" between a government and a newspaper proprietor. Nor was there an "implied" deal, he says.
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Gove waxing lyrical with historical references in his evidence. He does not believe that the "low regard" of politicians and journalists is a new thing, instead directing the Inquiry to centuries-old political caricatures and Latin quotations.
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Lord Justice Leveson says it is "not the least bit surprising" that an ex-journalist and husband of a journalist, like Gove, has friends who are "in the business." He asks has Gove ever felt it necessary to build a "chinese wall" to separate this with his political career.
"I try to exercise appropriate judgement," Gove says.
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Gove suggests that education reform and education policy were always a topic of conversation, not the BSkyB bid or phone hacking.
Hacked Off, @hackinginquiry, tweets: "Gove: To the best of my recollection, did not discuss phone hacking or BSkyB bid during informal interactions with Murdoch."
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Political Scrapbook, @PSbook, tweets: "Gove said 'no recollection' at least three times there. Everyone clear?"
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Jay doggedly continues the line of questioning. Gove does not believe the BSkyB bid was discussed at a social event with himself, his wife, Rebekah Brooks and her husband at the O2 Arena. "Highly unlikely," Gove reiterates.
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Gove does not recall when he first heard of the launch of the BSkyB bid, and denies that he was informed about the bid prior to reading about it in newspapers. Jay states the launch took place on June 15. "I have not followed the progress of the bid...like many others," Gove says. "I did not give it any particular attention."
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Jay refers to a May 2010 meeting with Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, and "more than 10 of others" - within weeks of the formation of the coaliton government. It seems reasonable to suggest, he said, that they would have discussed political matters there. Gove believes they discussed education that evening.
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Jay refers to Gove's meetings with media organisations. Gove has recorded past meetings with editor of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, as well as Lord and Lady Rothermere, although News International meetings are the most frequent. Government records detail 11 meetings between Gove and senior News Corp figures between May 2010 and July 2011.
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Gove says in his written evidence that he never discussed details regarding the BSkyB bid or other media ownership issues with Murdoch.
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Jay interrogates Gove on his admiration for Murdoch, and why. "I think he is one of the most impressive figures of the last 50 years," Gove says. He claims Murdoch has been a successful and controversial figure who has done much - through his 1985 move to Wapping and broadcasting endeavours - for journalism and job creation in this country. Jay refers to those infamous Gove quotations: that Murdoch is a "great man" and a "force of nature".
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Prospect's @James_Macintyre tweets: "Gove doing best to distance Times from Sun+craven Murdoch following."
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Gove says what was printed in The Times was "emphatically" his editors' world-view, and not that of the proprietor.
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Gove summarises his time as a leader writer at The Times. He says there was no political influence from the newspaper's proprietor, Rupert Murdoch. "None," he says. Another interpretation on the "hands-off proprietor" myth surrounding Murdoch as editor of The Sun, News of the World and The Times in this country.
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"Newspaper proprietors have attempted to imprint their will on the political sphere. Robust politicians will know when to listen," says Gove. By that interpretation, Murdoch is the next in line from powerful proprietors like Rothermere and co.
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Gove suggests clause 1(iii) of the Press Complaints Commission's 'Editor's Code of Practice' (on accuracy) is an "ideal". It depends on "discriminating readers" to separate what the PCC calls for: "comment, conjecture and fact."
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"News and comment have been fused ever since the first public prints appeared," says Gove. Lord Mandelson, Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair have all raised an issue with this "fusion" in their evidence.
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Gove believes this relationship has existed "for generations".
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QC Jay asks if Gove agrees with Lord Mandelson's statement that politicans and journalists have a "transactional" relationship. Gove believes it is "more nuanced."
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Lord Justice Leveson has announced he is referring the case of David Lawley-Wakelin to the Crown Prosecution Service, after he interrupted Tony Blair's evidence yesterday alleging he was a "war criminal."
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May also had a phone call (instigated by herself) with Rebekah Brooks and Dominic Mohan in May 2011 over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann on what the government and the Metropolitan police were doing.
May said that the Home Office was in discussion with ACPO about a review into Madeleine MacCann's disappearance. She adds that neither Brooks nor Mohan had indicated that May would be on the front page of the Sun until a review of the case was announced.
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Inquiry now looks at May's interactions with the media. Jay notes that her interactions are very few (except for party conference time) and doesn't seem to favour a particular newspaper.
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LJ Leveson talks of his concerns about the PCC regulation system "Regulation that is voluntary and not seen as effective is not really regulation of any sort."
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May said she wouldn't rule out statutory regulation but it needs to be looked at properly and it needs to get the balance right between ensuring redress and freedom of the press, which she again acknowledges
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Attention now turns to the representation of women and minority groups in the press.
May highlights that there is scope for the government to work with the press for positive portrayal in the press and has said she has been contacted by groups who have raised concerns about their representation.
LJ Leveson asks May about the potential for groups to raise generic complaints with body on press standards. Subtle reference to Tony Blair's appearance yesterday remarking that there are no means for a group of individuals to take action under current libel laws.
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Jay suggests that the media is just an intermediary and is a driver of public opinion in contrast to May's statement that the media are a reflection of the public view. He specifically draws his intention to the issue of immigration, which can "excite" the media.
May argues that: "opinion in media on immigration varied. It's important to look at what media saying but also look widely at public opinion."
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May acknowledges there is no inherent risk to the relationship between politicians and journalists. She said that it assumes a certain element behaviour in both parties
May argues that the media reflect the public, politicians listen to the public in a variety of forms in which the media is one of them
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Talk now turns to Plice and Crime Commissioners who will be elected in November this year. Will be expected to look at framework rules and guidance appropriate for the area they represent.
May acknowledges the government line that it is important for police to have local and democratic accountability.
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Attention now turns to media relations with politicians. May scomments: "For a politician there's an interest in encouraging to public to have an interest in what you are saying" and acknowledges the media as a platform for that
In contrast to the police who do not seek election for office.
In terms of Ministers May cites the Ministerial Code says that they have to be careful what is appropriate for them to be saying. Jay cites that part that says Ministers shouldn't accept gifts that may place them under obligation.
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Now turning to social relations between police and media. It could be the case that junior officers will have relations with the media but be unaware that the relationship is based on their job.
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May said she was surprised by Sir Paul's resignation.
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May says that media training for senior police officers is helpful and acknowledges the different types of skills and interaction. This is currently being examined by ACPO as part of their guidance on police-media relations.
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Inquiry now turn to Dame Elizabeth Filkin's report on the close relations between the press and police, which was published in January this year and also to Sir Dennis O'Connor's suggestions on police hospitality.
Dame Filkin was Parliamentary Commissioner for standards between 1997 and 2002 and was appointed to lead the phone hacking investigation in 2011. Sir Dennis is Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
The Filkin report was commissioned by Sir Paul Stephenson and was discussed between Sir Paul and May.
May advised that all police forces should take note of Filkin's recommendations and that the ACPO recommendations should be read in conjunction with the Filkin report.
May agrees with Dame Elizabeth that police-media relations should be "permissible but not unconditional".
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Inquiry have now returned. May is being quizzed about police integrity to which May contends that a majority of police officers act a a good deal of integrity.
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Break
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May said that she: "Thought was wrong for Sir Paul Stephenson not to talk to me about hiring of Wallis" as it may cause embarassment for the PM and Coulson.
LJ Leveson states that there is no evidence to suggest that Sir Paul Stephenson, former Met police commissioner, would feel embarassed to speak about Neil Wallis,
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David Lawley Wakelin, the protestor who branded Tony Blair as a war criminal yesterday as he gave evidence, gives an interview on LBC radio. Bradcast can be heard here.
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May is quizzed on Chammy media contract, which she raised concerns about. She wrote to the Met police commissioner on 14 July 2011 about the force's links to Chamy Media, a PR firm set up by News of the World excutive Neil Wallis.
May said at that point some action needed to be taken. She said that there "[w]ere growing number of examples questioning police integrity. We were in danger of police/public relationship being damaged."
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May: "My view would still have been that the balance probably lay with self-regulatory system" as Jay quizzes May on phone-hacking following the Milly Dowler hacking story.
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LJ Leveson jokes: "Would be grateful for a small amount of money for every time I've said same over last few months" in relation to press freedom, reminder of Tony Blair's appearance at Inquiry who praised the British press and the need for a free press and recognising the importance of regulation but stopping short of full-blooded statutory regulation.
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Jay now turns his attention to the PCC code which refers to article 10 which states: "The press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails; or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs or by accessing digitally-held private information without consent. "
However there is a provision that allows journalists to use methods if it is within the public interest. May acknowledges that freedom of press is essential in democratic society but stops short of going as far as saying that there should be statutory regulation of the printed press.
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Hacked-Off have published an article where LJ Leveson discusses plans for press regulation. Post can be read here.
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Mobile phones that were hacked didn't appear to be a national security concern because they weren't secure, referring to the normal practice that matters of national security concern should not be discussed on mobile phones that are not secured.
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LJ Leveson draws his attention to Andy Coulson's resignation in January 2011 prior to the public announcement of Operation Weeting.
DPP appeared to be operating on a different "legal definition" of phone hacking to the police.
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May says that it is not for the Home Secretary to decide if there is evidence to investigate into an issue but a decision for the police when quizzed by Jay following the New York Times article outlining the scale of the phone-hacking saga.
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Moving onto May's part of the statement which deals with the phone hacking issue, highlighting the New York Times piece came out in September 2010 which was the first time phone hacking came across the radar.
May said she read reports of that piece but never read the actuall New York Times article. Jay asks why May didn't ask to see it.
May says: "It’s not the role of the Home Secretary to decide whether information in the newspaper is such that should be investigated"
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Stresses that Police Officers have a framework on police relations with the media and that ACPO is doing further work on guidance on police-media relations, which will be published when the Inquiry is finished.
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Jay now referring to the guidance on media relations with reference to the section of the receipt of gifts and hospitality from journalists to the police and specifically to "blanket non-acceptability" except for limited exceptions. May says that it's a sensible approach by ACPO, but what is important is that there is a register and everyone knows there is a general belief not to accept gifts unless it's of a more "trivial" nature but further stresses that Police Officers should not be put in a situation where the receipt of a gift or hospitality means they are being influenced.
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Guardian editor Alan Ruisbridger tweets in: "CPS confirm no payment sought or received. Public interest in stories outweighed any possible offence under DPA #leveson"
It has also been confirmed that the Guardian's Amelia Hill, the reporter who broke the phone-hacking story, will not be prosecuted by the CPS.
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Wonder if Jay will ask May about the Police Federation conference...
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May questioned on the role of the IPCC and the types of powers it can excercise.
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Robert Jay QC quizzes May on the role of the Home Secretary in relation to the police. May goes on to stress that the police are operationally independent.
Stresses that the government have scrapped targets and given them one aim, which is to "cut crime".
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Theresa May's evidence starts now and gives her full name as Theresa Mary May. She is the first Minister to give evidence to the Inquiry into press standards.
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