David Cameron’s morning at the Leveson Inquiry has not been a pleasant experience for him. In the opening hour or so, Cameron was calm and statesmanlike. But as the inquiry moved onto his connections to News International and how Andy Coulson was hired, the prime minister was pushed onto the back foot. One could see why some in Number 10 refer to the inquiry as ‘the monster we have created’.
The headline for tomorrow’s papers is, at the moment, coming from a text sent to him by Rebekah Brooks. The clinging text read,
This text does illustrate a relationship that was too close. But it is worth remembering that it is from Brooks to Cameron, not the other way round. As with the Fred Michel texts there is an element here of someone trying to ingratiate themselves.‘But seriously I do understand the issue with the Times. Let’s discuss over country supper soon. On the party it was because I had asked a number of NI [News International] people to Manchester post endorsement and they were disappointed not to see you. But as always Sam was wonderful (and I thought it was OE’s [Old Etonians] were charm personfied!) I am so rooting for you tomorrow not just as a proud friend but because professionally we’re definitely in this together! Speech of your life? Yes he Cam’.
One other thing worth noting is the emphasis that Cameron places on his desire to win back the traditionally right-wing press for the Tory party. The context in which he operating was one in which New Labour had peeled off several of them, putting the Tories at a severe disadvantage. He, though, obviously got too close as he tried to do that.
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