Miller and PM aides accused of press threats
GOVERNMENT aides were yesterday accused of warning journalists not to publish a critical story about Maria Miller, the culture secretary, because of her position in talks regarding regulation of the press.
Downing Street spokesman Craig Oliver and Miller’s adviser Joanna Hindley were accused by the Daily Telegraph of warning it about publishing allegations it made about Miller’s expenses. The paper accused the aides of using Miller’s involvement in talks about press regulation, stemming from the Leveson inquiry, to warn journalists about publishing the information.
Downing Street yesterday denied any improper conduct. “We don’t accept threats have been made,” a spokesperson said.
In today’s Telegraph, both Hacked Off, the campaign backing state regulation of the press, and Roy Greenslade call for Miller to step away from implementing the Levenson report.