Video: Jeremy Hunt's permanent secretary dodges MPs' questions over BSkyB bid Appearing before the public accounts committee, Mr Stephens repeatedly refused to say whether Jeremy Hunt was telling the truth to Parliament over who approved Adam Smith's contact with News Corporation. Mr Stephens was asked by Margaret Hodge, the committee's chair, whether he knew of special adviser Adam Smith's role in "back-channel communication" between the coalition and the Murdoch empire. He acknowleged the matter was "very important" and "rightly of interest to parliament" but repeatedly refused to add anything to the statement released by Mr Smith on Wednesday.