Now sleaze watchdog adds to woes for Hunt

Pressure mounted on beleaguered Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday, as a Westminster sleaze watchdog called for a swift investigation of allegations over his handling of News Corporation’s takeover bid for BSkyB.

The call from the chairman of the committee on standards in public life, Sir Christopher Kelly, came as Mr Hunt announced he was handing over text messages and e-mails relating to the bid to the Leveson Inquiry into media standards.

However, Lord Leveson has refused to bring forward Mr Hunt’s appearance before his inquiry, meaning he is not likely to be called before mid-May.

In a further blow to Mr Hunt, a new opinion poll has revealed that almost two-thirds of voters think he should resign.

Prime Minister David Cameron has resisted calls to refer Mr Hunt to his independent adviser on ministerial conduct, Sir Alex Allan, over claims he secretly favoured the bid by Rupert Murdoch’s company.

In a letter to Mr Hunt, deputy leader Harriet Harman said: “There can be no possible explanation for your preparedness to give these documents to the Leveson Inquiry, but refusal to give them to the House, other than that you are evading your accountability to the House for your actions.”

Mr Hunt said he was “confident” that the release of his emails and texts would show he handled the BSkyB merger process with “total integrity”.