Leveson Inquiry

Thérèse Coffey Excerpts

Wednesday 25th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

I had no communication or consultation with Mr Coulson about this bid when I was responsible for it.

[Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con)]

I, too, have seen my right hon. Friend serve this House with great integrity. Could he clarify the role that the independent regulators, the Office of Fair Trading and Ofcom, played in this process?

[Mr Hunt]

My reason for involving the OFT and Ofcom in this process to a much greater extent than I was required to do under the Enterprise Act 2002 was precisely that I wanted to address the concerns that Members of this House and the public might have about my prejudging this issue. At every stage—I took four major decisions, each of which was not the decision that News Corp wanted—and on every ruling that I made, I carefully considered that independent advice, and after considering it, I followed it.