Public Confidence in the Media and Police

Nadhim Zahawi Excerpts

Wednesday 20th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Edward Miliband]

I am going to make some more progress, if I may.

We need to reform our press and politics and we need also to reform the dealings between politicians and the press. I welcome the Prime Minister’s—

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

rose—

[Edward Miliband]

I think I might get to the point on which the hon. Gentleman wants to intervene, if he gives me a moment.

I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to be more transparent about meetings with executives and editors. I have published all my meetings since I became leader of the Labour party and I say to the Prime Minister that of course I will go back to the general election.

[Nadhim Zahawi]

rose—

[Edward Miliband]

The hon. Gentleman is so over-excited that I feel I must give way to him in case a nasty accident befalls him.

[Nadhim Zahawi]

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman will publish all the meetings he had with the media before he became leader, because transparency is the greatest disinfectant. Will he confirm to the House whether, when he was running to lead his party, he met any of the Murdochs or anyone from News International?

[Edward Miliband]

I did have one lunch with News International and it was profoundly unsuccessful, as people will have gathered. I can be accused of many things, but I do not think that a cosy, sweetheart relationship with The Sun newspaper—Red Ed and all that—is one of them.