Jeremy Hunt Fights For His Political Career

Among his supporters, Jeremy Hunt has been spoken of in the past as a rising star and potential Tory leader - not now.

A day of devastating evidence at the Leveson inquiry, much of it in damning emails, has left him fighting for political survival.

One senior Conservative MP told Sky News that while he previously thought the Culture Secretary had handled the News Corp-BSkyB bid well, the emails look terrible.

The consensus among Tory backbenchers is that unless Mr Hunt can make a good job of demolishing claims that he was far too cosy with Rupert Murdoch and NewsCorp bosses, he could be finished.

The emails, written by NewsCorp PR man and lobbyist Frederic Michel, make several mentions of "JH" and appear to tell a story of close contacts with NewsCorp during the takeover bid.

They include:

:: "Rebekah and I had a very useful meeting with Jeremy Hunt today on the bid."

:: "Jeremy just called. He did an interview with the FT today, after his chat with JRM (James Murdoch)."

:: "Just had a chat with JH re statement before he went to Parliament."

:: "Just spoke to JH."

:: "I have managed to get JH quickly before he went in to see Swan Lake...and have further chat."

:: "JH taking me through the process for tomorrow now."

Suddenly caught up in a political and media frenzy DCMS officials insisted "JH" didn't necessarily mean Mr Hunt, but more often than not the contacts were with his Whitehall adviser Adam Smith.

:: Read all the emails here

It's also worth noting that in his sworn witness statement to the inquiry, dated April 18, Mr Michel said: "At no point in the key period...did I have any direct conversation with Jeremy Hunt relating to the BSkyB proposal."

So what are we to make of this contradiction?

When he eventually responded to Labour's demands for his resignation, Mr Hunt said: "Now is not a time for knee-jerk reactions. We've heard one side of the story today but some of the evidence reported meetings and conversations that simply didn't happen."

But it wasn't a very convincing performance in front of the TV cameras. He was breathless, nervous and won't have convinced everyone that Mr Michel's emails give a misleading picture.

He wants to bring forward his evidence to the Leveson inquiry. And well he might.

But Mr Hunt doesn't have much time. As well as Prime Minister's Questions, there's every chance that he will be hauled before MPs to answer questions himself.

And next it's Rupert Murdoch's turn to give evidence at the Leveson inquiry. And that could bring further embarrassment and more damaging revelations about Mr Hunt and his contact with the Murdochs.

:: Leveson: Culture Sec Rejects Calls To Quit

:: News Corp Takeover Bid Emails Shown