Harriet Harman

Former MP for Camberwell and Peckham

Writing to the Prime Minister about emails to Rebekah Brooks - 1

Today I wrote to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, about a report in The Independent saying some emails between the Prime Minister and Rebekah Brooks, and between the Prime Minister and Andy Coulson, had not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry. You can read my letter below:

Dear Prime Minister,

I read with great concern yesterday’s Independent report that some emails between you and Rebekah Brooks, and between you and Andy Coulson, have not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry.

You established the Leveson Inquiry to ‘inquire into the culture, practices, and ethics of the press’ – and the terms of reference explicitly include ‘contacts and the relationships between national newspapers and politicians, and the conduct of each’.

The Leveson Inquiry presents us with an historic opportunity to solve longstanding problems with the press, including the relationship between the press and politicians.

It is vital that the Leveson Inquiry has all of the evidence available. I understand from the Independent report that some emails were not disclosed because you were advised they were not ‘relevant’. In order for the public to have total confidence it would be preferable for you to disclose all of the emails and let the Leveson Inquiry decide which are relevant. It appears this is how you dealt with the text messages between you and Rebekah Brooks.

In light of the Independent’s report, I would be grateful if you could tell me:

  • Are there emails between you and Rebekah Brooks that have not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry? If so, will you now disclose them to the Inquiry?
  • Are there emails between you and Andy Coulson that have not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry? If so, will you now disclose them to the Inquiry?

I urge you to disclose all of your communications with Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson to the Leveson Inquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Harriet Harman

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