Leveson ‘threatened to quit’ over Michael Gove jibe
LORD Leveson, the judge heading the inquiry into press standards, threatened to quit over criticism made by a Cabinet minister, it was claimed yesterday.
It came after Education Secretary Michael Gove said the High Court inquiry had created a “chilling atmosphere” towards freedom of speech.
Senior government sources claim that Lord Justice Leveson made an angry call to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood calling for Mr Gove to be “gagged” and saying that if ministers were not silenced, his inquiry would be rendered worthless.
One source said: “Our clear impression was that he was spitting tacks with Gove and was ready to resign unless the minister was told to shut up.”
A spokesman said Lord Leveson would not comment on press stories outside the formal inquiry proceedings.