David Cameron has been urged to come clean about whether he witheld any "embarrassing" emails or text messages between Rebekah Brooks, Andy Coulson and himself from the Leveson inquiry.
Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman wrote to the prime minister today, following heated exchanges in the Commons that saw Cameron refuse to answer a question on the allegations.
“The reports that the prime minister has not made a full disclosure to the Leveson Inquiry are deeply concerning," she said.
“The prime minister set up the Leveson Inquiry to examine the culture, practices and ethics of the press including the relationships between the press and politicians.
She added: "It presents an historic opportunity to solve longstanding problems with the press and it is therefore vital that the Leveson Inquiry has all of the evidence available."
On Tuesday The Independent reported that Cameron had not disclosed all of the emails and text messages sent to the former News International chief executive and his former communications director following legal advice.
The paper also alleged that some of the messages were "embarrassing". Labour MP and phone hacking campaigner Chris Bryant tacked Cameron on the issue during prime minister's questions.
"Why wont the prime minister publish all the texts, emails and other forms of correspondents between himself and his office and Rebekah Brooks, Andy Coulson and News International?" he said.
"Is it because they are too salacious and embarrassing for the prime minister?" Bryant asked, before adding: "I wouldn't smile, when the truth comes out the prime minister won't be smiling."
However an irritated Cameron refused to answer Bryant, saying the Labour shadow immigration minister had never apologised for accusing him of holding secret meetings with Rupert Murdoch that had not been declared.
The prime minister said Bryant "read out a whole lot of Leveson information he was not meant to read out, much of which, about me, turned out to be true and he has never apologised".
He added: "Do you know what, until he apologises I am not going to answer his questions."
In May Bryant apologised to Lord Justice Leveson and the Commons in general, but not to the prime minister specifically.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "All the material that the inquiry asked for was provided. We have co-operated fully with the inquiry and we are now looking forward to that report.
"Nothing has been withheld with regard to the Leveson Inquiry. We have co-operated fully with the inquiry and everything the Leveson Inquiry requested we have provided."
Any request for the release of further documents under Freedom of Information legislation would be dealt with "on its merits", said the spokeswoman.
HARMAN'S LETTER
Dear Prime Minister,
I read with great concern yesterday’s Independent report that some emails between you and Rebekah Brooks, and between you and Andy Coulson, have not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry.
You established the Leveson Inquiry to ‘inquire into the culture, practices, and ethics of the press’ – and the terms of reference explicitly include ‘contacts and the relationships between national newspapers and politicians, and the conduct of each’.
The Leveson Inquiry presents us with an historic opportunity to solve longstanding problems with the press, including the relationship between the press and politicians.
It is vital that the Leveson Inquiry has all of the evidence available. I understand from the Independent report that some emails were not disclosed because you were advised they were not ‘relevant’. In order for the public to have total confidence it would be preferable for you to disclose all of the emails and let the Leveson Inquiry decide which are relevant. It appears this is how you dealt with the text messages between you and Rebekah Brooks.
In light of the Independent’s report, I would be grateful if you could tell me:
Are there emails between you and Rebekah Brooks that have not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry? If so, will you now disclose them to the Inquiry?
Are there emails between you and Andy Coulson that have not been disclosed to the Leveson Inquiry? If so, will you now disclose them to the Inquiry?
I urge you to disclose all of your communications with Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson to the Leveson Inquiry.