Jeremy Hunt will not be allowed to give his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry sooner than planned, it has been suggested.
On Tuesday the culture secretary wrote to Leveson asking for his appearance before the inquiry to be brought forward in order to fight allegations that he secretly backed News Corporation's bid to take over BSkyB when he was supposed to be impartial.
But speaking at the opening of the inquiry today, Lord Justice Leveson said he was aware there was more than one side to the story but said he would he hear from Hunt "in due course".
"I am absolutely not taking sides or expressing any opinion, but I am prepared to say that it is very important to hear every side of the story before drawing conclusions," he said.
"In due course I will hear the relevant evidence from all the relevant witnesses, and when I report I will then make the findings that are necessary for me to fulfil the terms of reference that the prime minister set for me."
James Murdoch's evidence before the inquiry on Tuesday was devastating for Hunt and he is facing calls to resign.
"Now is not a time for kneejerk reactions. We've heard one side of the story today but some of the evidence reported meetings and conversations that simply didn't happen," Hunt said on Tuesday.
"Rather than jump on a political bandwagon, we need to hear what Lord Justice Leveson himself thinks after he's heard all the evidence.
"Let me be clear: my number one priority was to give the public confidence in the integrity of process. I asked for advice from independent regulators – which I didn't have to do – and after careful consideration I followed that advice to the letter.
"I would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible which is why I have today written to Lord Justice Leveson asking if my appearance can be brought forward.
"I am very confident that when I present my evidence the public will see that I conducted this process with absolute objectivity and scrupulous fairness."