Leveson Inquiry

Debate between Baroness Garden of Frognal and Lord Inglewood

Wednesday 25th April 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Once again, the noble Lord is fielding reports from the media that have not necessarily been substantiated, and it would be wise to wait to see which of them are true. All I can say on the question of Adam Smith’s role is to refer to his letter of resignation in which he states that,

“the content and extent of my contact was done without authorisation from the Secretary of State”.

[Lord Inglewood]

Does my noble friend agree, first of all, that the allegations made about the Secretary of State are extremely serious; and, secondly, that the Secretary of State’s Statement in the House of Commons was an explanation of what occurred but what we need to see is the evidence on which the explanation was based so that Parliament and the public can make up their mind about the events that have occurred?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Yes, my Lords, what my noble friend says is probably right.

Media: Plurality

Debate between Baroness Garden of Frognal and Lord Inglewood

Wednesday 7th March 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Inglewood]

Does my noble friend the Minister agree that a useful background paper to this discussion is the document produced by the House of Lords Communications Committee some years ago, The Ownership of the News, under the chairmanship of no less a personage than my noble friend Lord Fowler?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

How could I not agree with my noble friend? Yes, indeed, and of course the Communications Committee continues to produce very well-respected and in-depth reports for your Lordships’ consideration.

Media: Ownership

Debate between Baroness Garden of Frognal and Lord Inglewood

Wednesday 15th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Indeed, my Lords, I can confirm that.

[Lord Inglewood]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for trailing tomorrow’s Communications Committee report, which covers in some depth a lot of the issues that are being discussed now. Although I recognise that, on the face of it, some activities of some journalists who have been engaged by News Corporation appear to be absolutely abominable and unacceptable, it is equally important, in the interests of investigative journalism and the way in which our country is run, that people are perceived to be innocent until they are proved guilty.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

I agree with my noble friend. We must also bear in mind the power of investigative journalism, which has turned up some stories that have been of great benefit to the country as well as a cause of pain to other people.

World Cup: Football

Debate between Baroness Garden of Frognal and Lord Inglewood

Wednesday 8th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, I entirely agree with the noble Baroness that getting on the pitch and winning some matches would be a very good rebuttal of what has happened with FIFA. On the funding side, the Government remain committed to investing in grassroots football through the money which Sport England provides to the Football Association and, as she says, learning lessons from the Burns review.

[Lord Inglewood]

Does the Minister agree that it is open to those against whom these very serious allegations have been made by the Sunday Times and “Panorama” to issue court proceedings for defamation, and that we can draw our own conclusion on whether they do so?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Again, my noble friend makes a very valid point but, I think, that is outside the remit of government to control.