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Leveson dismisses inquiry questions over opposing barristers' affair Leveson dismisses inquiry questions over opposing barristers' affair
(4 months later)
Lord Justice Leveson has once again batted away questions about the affair between Carine Patry Hoskins, one of the barristers on his inquiry into press ethics and David Sherborne, the barrister representing victims of the press.Lord Justice Leveson has once again batted away questions about the affair between Carine Patry Hoskins, one of the barristers on his inquiry into press ethics and David Sherborne, the barrister representing victims of the press.
He has reiterated a previous public statement saying that Patry Hoskins, who was thrown into the spotlight a month ago when it emerged that she was in a relationship with Sherborne, "had no role" in the formulation of a key document containing trenchant criticism of the press.He has reiterated a previous public statement saying that Patry Hoskins, who was thrown into the spotlight a month ago when it emerged that she was in a relationship with Sherborne, "had no role" in the formulation of a key document containing trenchant criticism of the press.
Leveson was responding to MP Rob Wilson who raised doubts over previous assertions by the court of the appeal judge that Patry Hoskins's relationship with Sherborne may have been inappropriate if she was involved substantively in the drawing up of the Leveson report.Leveson was responding to MP Rob Wilson who raised doubts over previous assertions by the court of the appeal judge that Patry Hoskins's relationship with Sherborne may have been inappropriate if she was involved substantively in the drawing up of the Leveson report.
Wilson suggested that she was involved in writing the so-called Rule 13 letters which went to all editors last year giving them advance warning of possible criticism of them in the final report.Wilson suggested that she was involved in writing the so-called Rule 13 letters which went to all editors last year giving them advance warning of possible criticism of them in the final report.
Leveson said this was not the case – this 121-page letter was "formulated by more senior members of the inquiry team". Patry Hoskins had only "assisted in the largely mechanical exercise of collecting and organising the evidence which appeared to support the criticisms" in those letters, he said.Leveson said this was not the case – this 121-page letter was "formulated by more senior members of the inquiry team". Patry Hoskins had only "assisted in the largely mechanical exercise of collecting and organising the evidence which appeared to support the criticisms" in those letters, he said.
She was one of six lawyers who trawled through the database of transcripts of written and oral evidence using keyword searches and "other tools to local the evidence", explained Leveson.She was one of six lawyers who trawled through the database of transcripts of written and oral evidence using keyword searches and "other tools to local the evidence", explained Leveson.
"Ms Patry Hoskins had no role in that process, and I reiterate once again: responsibility for every finding of face, every opinion and every conclusion in the report remains mine alone," said Leveson."Ms Patry Hoskins had no role in that process, and I reiterate once again: responsibility for every finding of face, every opinion and every conclusion in the report remains mine alone," said Leveson.
A professional code of conduct suggests affairs between opposing lawyers should be avoided, in case the perception might be created of 'a danger of a breach of confidence or other conspiracy'.A professional code of conduct suggests affairs between opposing lawyers should be avoided, in case the perception might be created of 'a danger of a breach of confidence or other conspiracy'.
In April Leveson cleared Patry Hoskins over suggestions she compromised his impartiality by conducting the relationship.In April Leveson cleared Patry Hoskins over suggestions she compromised his impartiality by conducting the relationship.
The judge said that Patry Hoskins proof read the report in the final few days before publication, but that "she did not see and was not involved in any discussions about any of the other sections of the report or, indeed, in any of my eventual recommendations".The judge said that Patry Hoskins proof read the report in the final few days before publication, but that "she did not see and was not involved in any discussions about any of the other sections of the report or, indeed, in any of my eventual recommendations".
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