The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Hunt's special adviser falls on his sword

Adam Smith says that he acted "without authorisation from the Secretary of State".

By Samira Shackle Published 25 April 2012 11:30

Jeremy Hunt. Photograph: Getty Images

Adam Smith, special adviser to Jeremy Hunt and News Corporation's key contact within his office, has resigned from his post. Smith is clearly falling on his sword to protect the minister, whose future looks uncertain after the publication of emails yesterday which revealed the extent of contact between Hunt's office and News Corp during negotiations over the BSkyB bid.

Here is his resignation statement in full:

While it was part of my role to keep News Corporation informed throughout the BSkyB bid process, the content and extent of my contact was done without authorisation from the Secretary of State. I do not recognise all of what Fred Michel said, but nonetheless I appreciate that my activities at times went too far and have, taken together, created the perception that News Corporation had too close a relationship with the department, contrary to the clear requirements set out by Jeremy Hunt and the permanent secretary that this needed to be a fair and scrupulous process. Whilst I firmly believe that the process was in fact conducted scrupulously fairly, as a result of my activities it is only right for me to step down as special adviser to Jeremy Hunt.

Whether this is enough to save Hunt - who still has the backing of Downing Street - remains to be seen.

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Tags: Leveson Inquiry Jeremy Hunt

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10 comments

Wed, 2012-04-25 16:17 — Silican (not verified)

I think Cameron's words at PMQs time were, "He has my full confidence"; as sure a sign of upcoming resignation as the preface, "With respect ... ", predicts insult.

Wed, 2012-04-25 16:17 — Silican (not verified)

I think Cameron's words at PMQs time were, "He has my full confidence"; as sure a sign of upcoming resignation as the preface, "With respect ... ", predicts insult.

Wed, 2012-04-25 15:53 — Livers (not verified)

We have fallen into an episode of the Thick of it. In the end the minister is replaced...

.. but who is the Nicola Murray of this Govt?

.. glummy mummy Nadine Dorries?

It could happen. :)

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Wed, 2012-04-25 15:37 — mbrecker (not verified)

It's astounding for someone to actually say that that Murdoch has improved UK broadcasting. This merger will actually add to UK broadcasting's intl. reputation.

Really?

Wed, 2012-04-25 15:33 — Herbert (not verified)

'While it was part of my role to keep News Corporation informed throughout the BSkyB bid process, the content and extent of my contact was done without authorisation from the Secretary of State.' - In which case Hunt should have released all the SpAd's communications with NewsCorp. Why didn't he?

And why did the SpAd go beyond his role? Entirely off his own bat just because he personally was keen on NewsCorp? I very much doubt it. Hunt to Smith: 'I don't know anything about this. You understand, don't you?'