Lord Justice Leveson has reportedly taken on PR support to advise on media handling around the ongoing inquiry in the UK media.
Maltin PR associate director Iain Rodger has confirmed to The Times that he has been brought in to take calls and tell the media how the inquiry is ‘playing out’.
Rodger is understood to be attending the inquiry at key points, watching footage, and advising on media handling including press conferences.
The news comes as former Downing Street comms director Andy Coulson is expected to stand before the inquiry on Thursday.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Business Secretary Vince Cable, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke and Education Secretary Michael Gove are also expected to take the stand.
It is believed that Leveson met Rodger after he was involved in previous media training work with judges and advised the Sentencing Council, which Leveson chairs.
Rodger told The Times: ‘When the Prime Minister announced his name, he contacted me and asked did I think it would be a good idea to keep in touch.’
He also told The Times that he has advised counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC not to lean forward with his head in his notes ‘but instead sometimes to lean back with his hand on his chair’.
Rodger is understood to be attending the inquiry at key points, watching footage, and advising on media handling including press conferences.
The news comes as former Downing Street comms director Andy Coulson is expected to stand before the inquiry on Thursday.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Business Secretary Vince Cable, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke and Education Secretary Michael Gove are also expected to take the stand.
It is believed that Leveson met Rodger after he was involved in previous media training work with judges and advised the Sentencing Council, which Leveson chairs.
Rodger told The Times: ‘When the Prime Minister announced his name, he contacted me and asked did I think it would be a good idea to keep in touch.’
He also told The Times that he has advised counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC not to lean forward with his head in his notes ‘but instead sometimes to lean back with his hand on his chair’.
http://www.prweek.com/uk/bulletin/prweekukdaily/article/1130513/lord-leveson-uses-maltin-pr-inquiry-prepares-andy-coulson/