Jeremy Hunt faces Commons vote over handling of News Corp bid for BSkyB

Published on 01/06/2012 12:56

JEREMY Hunt will face a Commons vote on whether he should face an independent investigation for breaching the ministerial code.

• Jeremy Hunt cleared by Downing Street after Leveson evidence

• But Labour will stage vote over whether he is referred for investigation

• Harriet Harman says Mr Hunt broke Ministerial Code

The Cabinet minister held on to his job as Culture Secretary last night after Downing Street said his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry showed he “acted properly” in handling the News Corporation bid for BSkyB.

But shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman announced today that Labour would stage a vote when MPs return from recess demanding he is referred for investigation to Sir Alex Allan, the Prime Minister’s adviser on the ministerial code.

Labour believes Mr Hunt has mislead Parliament twice about his role in the bid and must also take responsibility for the actions of his special adviser Adam Smith, who was forced to quit when a slew of damaging emails were released showing close contact with News Corporation lobbyist Fred Michel.

Ms Harman said: “Jeremy Hunt has broken the Ministerial Code and misled Parliament.

“It is not acceptable that these rules have been broken and we will call a vote insisting that Jeremy Hunt’s breaches of the code are referred to the independent adviser on ministerial interests.

“The Ministerial Code sets the standards which secretaries of state must live up to. When David Cameron came into power, he upgraded the code and he said he was going to have higher standards in public office. Today those words ring hollow - he has just torn up the code.

“Even if David Cameron thinks it is acceptable for a minister to break the code he drew up, we do not and will call a vote.”

Labour plans to use its opposition day debate on Wednesday June 14 to trigger the vote.