Leveson Inquiry risks undermining precious liberty of free speech, Michael Gove warns

Mr Gove, who has been tipped as a future leader of the Conservatives, went further by making the case unashamedly for cautious regulation.

In a tense exchange, he set out his fear that any cure proposed by Lord Leveson may be worse than the disease. I am concerned about any prior restraint and on their exercising of freedom of speech, Mr Gove told the judge.

Lord Leveson replied: Mr Gove, I do not need to be told about the importance of freedom of speech, I really dont.

The judge said he was concerned that the Education Secretary was prepared to put up with unacceptable, albeit not necessarily criminal behaviour from journalists because of the right to freedom of speech.

Mr Gove said some cases of press misbehaviour were deplorable but argued that these could be punished under existing laws, such as defamation.

Freedom of speech doesnt mean anything unless some people are going to be offended some of the time, the minister said. Defending the rough-edged trade of journalism, the minister said it twas ever thus that reporters are unpopular. Politicians and journalists have always tended to be held in relatively low regard, he said.

Mr Gove was also upfront about his admiration for Rupert Murdoch, the owner of News International, which publishes the The Sun and The Times.

He described the media tycoon as one of the most impressive and significant figures of the last 50 years.

Mr Gove, a former leader writer at The Times, said Mr Murdoch had never tried to interfere in his editorials.

He said the newspaper owner was a great man, who had created jobs and attracted controversy because he is so successful.

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Leveson Inquiry risks undermining precious liberty of free speech, Michael Gove warns