Witherow

Witherow said the "huge furore" that eventually led to the resignation of the BBC's chairman and director general was because "number 10 thought they had some stake and some control in the BBC".

Leveson inquiry: Murdoch editors warn of 'chilling effect' of state regulation 2012

Both Harding and Witherow gave the example of the BBC's coverage of the "dodgy dossier" on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the ensuing battle with the government.

Leveson inquiry: Murdoch editors warn of 'chilling effect' of state regulation 2012

Witherow said that Alastair Campbell's reaction to the BBC reporting of the Iraq war dossier was an example of what happens when the government feels it controls the media.8 Misdeeds are still being uncoveredThe inquiry travelled over much familiar ground.

Leveson inquiry: 10 things we learned from the first round 2012

The idea quickly proved popular on Fleet Street – where editors have long complained of the six and seven figure cost of libel and privacy actions – as a possible win for an industry that otherwise will have to bow to greater regulation.7 Editors fear political controlJames Harding, pictured, the editor of the Times, and John Witherow, of the Sunday Times, used similar arguments in January to oppose a "Leveson act" – statutory regulation.

Leveson inquiry: 10 things we learned from the first round 2012

John Witherow, the Sunday Times editor, said he would have "very serious doubts about some sort of statutory body that's been set up by parliament" because he thinks further down the line "politicians would be tempted to intervene".

Leveson inquiry: Murdoch editors warn of 'chilling effect' of state regulation 2012

Witherow defended the use of blagging and subterfuge in the public interest.

Leveson inquiry: Murdoch editors warn of 'chilling effect' of state regulation 2012

Rusbridger believes that you can't ask people to pay for online newspaper content; Witherow is about to ask them to.

Soft Power; The Media Show; Last Orders at the Spinning Disc; Exile of the Stones 2010

Maybe Witherow played his vulgar Clarkson gambit with history in mind.

Clare Balding versus AA Gill: wheels within wheels for the PCC 2010

Witherow said the paper used a businessman called Barry Beardall to discover from a firm of solicitors how much Mr Brown paid for the flat.

The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com Michael Rundle 2012

John Witherow confirmed that the paper "blagged" information from the bank as part of an investigation in 2000 into the then-chancellor's purchase of a flat from a company owned by the late media baron Robert Maxwell.

The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com Michael Rundle 2012