David Cameron Appears At Leveson Inquiry

Prime Minister David Cameron is today appearing in front of the ongoing Leveson Inquiry.

Describing the 24-hour news agenda as "a permanent battle", the PM said theat politicians should pull back from it or risk getting "buried".

He also told the Leveson Inquiry the relationship between the press and politicians had gone "bad". That ties were "too close and unhealthy" on the one hand, but that there was also a lack of trust on both sides.

He went on to describe the inquiry as a "cathartic moment" and a chance to "reset" relations.

The prime minister is being asked about his links to Rupert Murdoch's media empire, which includes News International.

Mr Cameron is known to be a friend of ex-News International boss Rebekah Brooks, and hired ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson as his communications chief.

The Conservatives have been accused of having a biased view in favour of the bid by News International's parent company News Corp to take over BSkyB.

But Mr Cameron said he had "never traded a policy" in return for the support of a media outlet, adding: "I think the idea of overt deals is nonsense… I also don't believe in this theory there was a nod and a wink and some sort of agreement."

He did however admit to some conversations with editors in which he told them "we'd love a bit more support from your paper", but added that it was, "not very often".

The prime minister's appearance at the Royal Courts of Justice in London is part of the inquiry's examination of the relationship between politicians and the media.

Mrs Brooks and her husband Charlie - who went to school with Mr Cameron - have both been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in relation to the phone-hacking scandal. Both deny wrongdoing.

(H)