Adam Smith texted Fred Michel 257 times during BskyB bid

The extent of the contact between Mr Smith and Mr Michel was revealed at the Leveson Inquiry where both are giving evidence. Mr Michel agreed there had been a 'pattern of very frequent communication' between News Corp and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport which increased from December 2010. It amounted to 191 phone calls, 158 emails and 799 texts, 90 per cent of which were with Mr Smith. 257 of the text messages were from Mr Smith to Mr Michel. Mr Michel told the inquiry: "I was never of the view it was inappropate to make the arguments or representations to his (Mr Hunt's) office." But he admitted that no lawyer had ever explained to him the quasi-judicial process of bids.