chippingnortonjournal

David Cameron meets Rebekah Brooks as party leaders mull Leveson proposals

Prime minister and former News International chief executive shared 'intense' conversation during Chipping Norton party

• Patrick Wintour, political editor  The Guardian, Tuesday 18 December 2012 22.04 GMT

Cameron's judgment in being seen talking to Rebekah Brooks will be questioned as the party leaders discuss press regulation. Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

David Cameron held a lengthy conversation with the former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks at a party on Saturday night in Chipping Norton, Downing Street has confirmed.

The conversation, described as intense by a surprised eyewitness, took place at a party thrown by Tom Astor, great-grandson of the American heiress Nancy Astor, at Merriscourt Farm in Chipping Norton, Cameron's constituency.

It will be argued that it is quite legitimate for Cameron and Brooks to meet at social gatherings as they are old friends and are neighbours. The content of the conversation is not known.

Both Heythrop Hunt and Chipping Norton/set got quite a mention on Prime Ministers question time and the Daily Politics show today on BBC2.