Leveson Inquiry

Anna Soubry Excerpts

Wednesday 25th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

With respect to the hon. Gentleman, due process in this situation means that I should take my decision objectively and impartially, setting aside my own prejudices. That is exactly what I did.

[Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con)]

Will the Secretary of State assure people in my constituency and throughout the country that at all times in this process he acted with impartiality and integrity?

[Mr Hunt]

I absolutely did and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for saying that, but we are very keen in all these processes to learn the lesson that the appearance of impartiality is also very important. That is why today the Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to write to all Departments to clarify the rigorous procedures that Departments should have in place for handling all cases of a quasi-judicial nature and said that it is vital that in dealing with these cases all contacts by Ministers, officials and special advisers are carefully controlled and properly recorded so that the independence, integrity and impartiality of the process are upheld and, just as important, seen to be upheld.